H.—l6b.

10

[j. E. STUCK.

Boyle. I got further evidence from Thomas Jones, guard of the 7 train at Kingston, who said he was on the platform when the Gore train arrived, and saw the Boyles alight and go to a hotel. I told the Registrar of Marriages here what had occurred, and he said he would not be able to get me a copy of the marriage-certificate for some time, as returns were only sent in every three months. On the Thursday morning I went to Dean Burke, and asked him to give me a copy of the register, or allow me to look at it, telling him the position, and asking if she was married. He put on a very serious face, and said, "I don't know anything about it, but I will make all inquiries, and let you know." I have never heard anything more from him. As soon as I thought it was time to be able to get the certificate I wrote to the Registrar, but I did not get it until May. After I got the certificate I went to Sergeant Black and laid a complaint. He took it down, and I signed it, and he took it to Inspector Mitchell, and I was told it would be attended to. About eight or nine days afterwards I was asked to see Detective Mcllveney, who took down five typewritten sheets of particulars from me. 1. The Commissioner.] Did you see the Inspector personally on the matter?— Not at that time. After about eight weeks I met the detective, and asked him if anything was being done. He said there were two or three he had not seen yet. I went away for about six weeks, and on my return I was told the detective was about to be removed. I went to see him just as he was leaving, and he told me he had turned over all the correspondence to Inspector Mitchell. I went to Mr. Mitchell's room, and he looked up the papers, and read me a statement from three persons —Thomas Boyle and the two witnesses of the. marriage. I thought it was strange there was no other paper read to me. Knowing the detective as well as I do, I thought it was strange he had not interviewed any of my witnesses, so I asked the Inspector if there was no other evidence taken by the detective. I saw I had touched a tender spot. He said he had done all he intended to do, and he had no time for such—l believe his word was " rot." I said, " Well, if you have not time I will find some one who has." That was the last time I spoke to him. I wrote to the Minister, and some time after I received an acknowledgment, and later on I received a letter from Mr. Dinnie, with some excuse. I cannot find the letter, but it was as much as to say that there was nothing to be done. My opinion is that they are all tarred with the same brush. 2. What kind of brush? —Well, they were all Catholics. That is how the matter stands. When I saw there was a change of Ministry I thought I would write to the new Minister to see what I could get from him, but just then I saw there was to be a Commission, and I thought that would answer my purpose better. 3. Did you consider the advisability of prosecuting yourself? —No; I acted on the RegistrarGeneral's advice. 4.. Your daughter and Boyle were both of age, and had a right to get married where and how and when they liked? —Yes. 5. Your desire was simply to see that your daughter was properly married?— Yes; that was my desire. 6. In whose interest? —In the public interest. I was spoken to by one or two clergymen. It was the talk of the place, and they said if they had been concerned in it they would have been prosecuted. 7. You insinuate that because certain officers of the police are Roman Catholics the authorities were being protected?— Yes. 8. Why did you not lay an information yourself?—l did not know what expense I might be dragged into. 9. So you handed the matter over to the police, and said, " Here is a breach of the law; it is for you to look into it "? —Yes. 10. Inspector Mitchell.] Do you remember what month you first spoke to me about this matter? —Immediately I received the certificate in May, 1906. 11. Would you be surprised to hear it was not until November you came to the station and spoke to the police?—No, I would not, because T was away two or three times; but I know it was shortly after I received the certificate from the Registrar-General. 12. The Commissioner] But it is a long time between May and November. Apparently you received the letter from the Registrar-General shortly after the Bth May?—l believe I did. 13. Inspector Mitchell.] If I tell you the correspondence shows it was on the sth November you first came to the police-station would you contradict it?—No, because I was away twice, for weeks at a time. 14. Within two or three days of your first visit to the station you were invited by Detective McTlveney to give him a full statement? —Yes, I believe it was within a week. 15. When he took your statement did the detective strike you as being biassed in the matter, or as trying to cloak or conceal anything?—No ; he was very enthusiastic, and took great interest in the matter, apparently. 16. Had you not reason to believe that following on your statement further inquiries were made from others?—l had no proof they were: T considered from the detective's demeanour that he would have taken evidence from my witnesses. Why did he not go to them as well as to the others 1 17. You say he appeared very enthusiastic, so it is unlikely he would only partially do his work?— That is what t thought 18. Do you remember your second visit to the station, when you and I talked the matter over? On that occasion I read three statements to you?— Yes, those of Boyle and the two witnesses. 19. Do you remember what I said after reading them? —I believe you said, "In the face of these statements, I could do nothing." 20. And that the parties present at the ceremony were those we must rely on to support the charge you proposed to lay against the dean ?—Something to that effect; you were not very well pleased, I know.