H.—l6b.

[j. C. MACKENZIE.

26. Were you not behind in your clerical work?—l was, but Ido not consider that neglect of duty, as I could not overtake it. 27. The Commissioner.] Did you ever complain that you had too much work?—l applied to the Commissioner for two men, and he promised me them some time after Parliament. There was and is a tremendous amount of work to be done, and I did more than a fair share of it. 28. Mr. Dinnie.] You were transferred for neglect of clerical work?—l do not think so. 29. The Commissioner.] You were transferred because you could not do the work? —Yes. 30. Mr. Dinnie.] Will you give me a case in which you were not backed up?—l was under the impression that a prosecution under the Licensing Act in Gisborne had a good deal to do with my transfer. There was a complaint made by Mr. Stock, a solicitor there, about some man who was arrested. 31. What was the result of the arrest? —The case against the man was dismissed. 32. Was there ground for the complaint?—l do not think so; the man is in gaol now, and has been several times since. 33. But the oi se you refer to was dismissed?— Yes. 34. What other case have you to complain about not being supported in? —There was another case of a woman named Mrs. Scott, who complained about being turned out of the police office. 35. What was the result of that complaint?—l was cautioned for ordering her out, and I do not consider I should have been. 36. Any ether case elsewhere?— There was one case at Gore where a man named O'Neill complained f f being summoned for supplying liquor to a young man. The summons was dismissed. 37. What support did you expect in that case? —I expected I was right. 38. But the Magistrate did not think so?— Convictions do not always follow. 39. Did r.ot the Magistrate say there were no grounds for the summons?—l do not recollect what he said. He dismissed the case, after taking time to consider it. 40. Did he not say there was no justification for a summons being issued?—l think he did. 41. As regards promotions and the opportunity a man may have to receive instructions which help him to gain knowledge of police matters, do you know what instructions candidates can secure? Do you know that they have to attend a class at each centre for instruction? —I have heard so. 42. Were your transfers all at, your own request?— None of them. 43. But they were in the -interests of the service?— Presumably so. 44. Not for misconduct?—No, they were not. When I was transferred from Outram it was against the wishes of the Inspector. Patrick McGrath, Sergeant, examined on oath. (No. 7.) Witness: I am stationed at the Bluff. Before I came to New Zealand I was three years and a half in the Royal Irish Constabulary. I joined the New Zealand Force in 1874, but did not remain long, leaving the service to better myself, as I thought. After about two years I joined the Wellington Provincial Force as second-class constable. After serving there for three years and a half or so I had a case before Judge Prendergast, who congratulated the Inspector on the manner in which it was brought. I was promoted, and transferred to Patea. I remained there for thirteen months; then T was transferred to Auckland; thence to the Thames, where I remained for three years and a half ; transferred to the North Shore, at Auckland, where I remained nine or ten months; transferred to Hamilton, where I remained for four years; and was then transferred to Sydenham. I was there yvhen prohibition was carried, and Sydenham being reduced to a constable station, T was transferred to Dunedin ; and when a station was opened at the Bluff seventeen years ago I was transferred there as sergeant in charge and Clerk of the Court. I have been there ever since. 1. The Commissioner!] You are satisfied with your position?— Very well. For years I have been very well treated. I had a grievance when I was at the North Shore, which it is-too late to go into now, being reduced four or five steps, as I thought unfairly. 2. Have you anything to say about the organization, control, or enrolment of the Force? — There was one case that came under my notice. A relation of mine came from the Home-country to the Bluff, who thought he would like to join the police. He made application, and reference was made to me for his character. I supplied it, but it did not seem to give satisfaction, and inquiry was made as to where he came from, and they sent to Ireland to make full inquiries. 1 feel that proper inquiry was made. He is now in the Force. 3. That, shows that care is taken?— Yes. I have seen it stated that men can join the Force easily. T do not think that is correct. I myself had to produce a certificate of character from my place in the Old Country; it is not easy to get a character. 4. Have you roticed anything in regard to the control of the Police Force?—lt is better than formerly I have served from one end of the country to the other, and there is a very great improvement. I know some men are grumbling about the rate of pay, and I think they have reason : the pay is too low, especially for a man with a wife and family. 5. That does not apply to men in charge of a station? —No, only to uniform men. 6. Another 6d. would make all the difference?—l am certain it would. The man with me is married, and has two children : he has to pay 10s. a week rent, while only allowed Is. a day. The rate of wages at the Bluff is 10s. a day, and you could not get a man to do your garden for less. Some wharf labourers get 2s. an hour if they work at night, while a constable gets nothing extra. 7. A single man yvould be better off than a married man?— But the Department do not care about sending single men, as they have to stay at boardinghouses or hotels.

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