H.—l6b.

32

[W. H. HIGGINS.

A policeman is never free. I think he should be given 6d. a day more. These men have a certain position to keep up; they cannot live in any hovel, but must try and live in a respectable locality. 13. Do you think the pay at present is sufficient for the single men?—l do not. 14. The married men are surely the worst off?— Quite so. I have eleven of a family, and I am in a place where living is high, and there is no employment for my family. However, I have made no complaint, and I will get out of it in time, I suppose. Nine of my family are girls, three of whom are in work, but, there are four for whom I cannot get work. I cannot send young girls to town away from home. 15. You have no particular complaint to make, I suppose?— No. 16. You have had no experience of political or other interference?—l have heard it spoken of as long as I can remember, but Ido not think there is much in it. I have never asked for anything since I joined the service, and I was five years in the Armed Constabulary before I joined. I have never asked any one to advance my interests, and I have only made one application for a station in twenty-eight years, and I did not get that. 17. You have leard it mentioned as being used? —I have heard it spoken of among the men. It has been said that So-and-so has had political influence, but I do not know that there was any truth in it. 18. Have you ever seen cases of promotion which seem unaccountable except on that basis? — No. You might hear some man say So-and-so got a certain station through some influence being used, but it is only hearsay, and hardly worth repeating. 19. With regard to the methods of promotion, have you any opinion? —Of later years they have been promoting men who have not the same amount of service as was the case in Commissioner Tunbridge's time. Then we had to have about twenty years' service. It is not so now, and that is the only difference ; but it never bothered me. 20. You were never asked to pass any examination ?—No. 21. Do you think the men who are promoted at the present day are as efficient as the men used to be?—l suppose they would be, but I have seen very little of the men generally for over three years. 22. Should there be a limit of age in the promotion to a sergeant?—l dare say that would be a good thing. 23. What should you say should be the limit? —I should say forty-five years —that is, if it was for street duty. I have done a good deal of street duty in Dunedin, and it is hard work, especially on the feet. You require to be strong to go through it. 24. What standard of education should be required of a man to qualify him for promotion? — I could not say. The Fifth Standard is supposed to be the standard of entrance, but I consider that too high. I have seen some of the best policemen in Otago thirty years ago with very little education, but with a good deal of common-sense. 25. Have you any opinion in regard to promotion from the detective branch to the higher offices?—l think the detective has just as much right to get advanced as any other man. I have never known a detective who was not at some time a uniform man, and why should he be debarred from promotion ; and if a man gets to the rank of Chief Detective, I do not see why he should not aspire to the rank of Sub-Inspector. 26. Do you know of any feeling in the Force contrary to that? —No. 27. You have been in the backblocks practically for some time? —Yes. 28. Mr. Dinnie.] You have nothing to complain about?— No. 29. You say the Force is as well organized as it was before?— Yes, to my way of thinking. 30. Equally strict as regards control? —Yes. 31. You say political influence is spoken of? —Yes, ever since I have been in the service. 32. It is not recent only?—No : when T was in the Armed Constabulary the same kind of thing used to be spoken of. 33. Y 7 ou have had several investigations to make as regards candidates for the Force :do you consider those investigations to have been strict? —Very strict. In fact, there was one case of a young man who backed out of it eventually, but his papers went backwards and foryvards for some time, and it seemed to me the investigation was too strict for him. A man would have to have a real good character to get through. 34. When the reports were not satisfactory they were returned for further inquiry from you ?—Yes. 35. Have you ever heard allegations made that in respect to single men there was no inquiry made into their character, and do you believe that?—No, I do not, because I know T have made inquiries myself. 36. As regards promotion to sergeant, you think the age-limit should be forty-five years. The ago at the present time is fifty?—l should say forty-five for street duty. 37. Do you approve of tlie present system of promotion as regards placing the men promoted in a city?— Certainly. 38. And then, according to seniority, be placed in charge of a station?— Yes. 39. That system has not been in vogue very long?—No, I know it is only of recent years. 40. And it seems to give satisfaction? —Yes; I never heard any remarks passed about it. 41. As regards the detective branch hung promoted to the uniform branch, suppose there is a Chief Detective senior to the uniform man, and better qualified in every way for promotion, should that senior detective remain as he is and the inferior man be promoted? —I should say he should not. 42. I suppose you do not know the system obtaining in other Police Forces?—No, all my experience is in Otago. I think those of the detective branch should be given the same chances as are given to those in the uniform branch.