I.—4a

23

Mr. Balcer.

26th Sept., 1878.

Detective Farrell.

26th Sept., 1878.

him, without the authority of the Resident Magistrate. Directly the Magistrate said Mr. Barton might have them, they were given him as soon as possible. 589. Did you refuse to show him any book? —No. 590. Mr. Barton.] Do you remember my coming to you, and saying I had been applying to the watchhouse-keeper for his book, and that he informed me it was in your possession? —No; I produced any book you wanted if you asked for it. One paper which you once asked for I could not give you. It was an old document, and had with many others been sent out of the office to make room. It was sent up to the Government Buildings, and had there been burned. 591. Did I not ask to see the record-book to get at the case of Jones ?—Certainly not. James Farrell, being duly sworn, was examined. 592. The Chairman] Tou are a detective officer ?—Tes. 593. Do you recollect a fire occurring at the Railway Hotel in 1877 ? —I remember a place called the Railway Hotel being burned down. It was occupied by a man named Pestridge. 594. AVas any action taken by the police in that matter ? —Every action. I made inquiries into the case. I was told off by the Inspector to see to the matter, and I obtained evidence for the thief, witnesses, and everything. These were produced, and the man was arrested by me, and he was committed for trial. 595. At whose instigation did you make inquiry ? —At the request of the Inspector of Police, Mr. Atchison. 596. Were you ever reprimanded for taking steps in the matter ? —No; on the contrary, I was instructed to do so. 597. Do you know of any conversation, or were you present at any conversation, between the Inspector of Police and the agent of the National Insurance Company, or any agent of any insurance company ?—I do not think so. Ido not remember it. 598. Tou remember a man named Heggarty being arrested on a charge of arson ?—I do. 599. He was committed ?—He was. 600. Do you know of any payment having been made on account of that conviction by the insurance companies ? —No ; except what I have heard from the insurance agent. 601. What agent?—Mr. AVallace. 602. AVhat did he tell you ?—He asked me if I had got any money respecting that arrest, and I said, No. 603. Have you ever got any money on account of it ? —No. 604. Have any of the police got any money ? —I do not know of my own knowledge ; but I have heard that Constable O'Connor has. He told me had got £10. 605. Did any one else get any of the money ?—I am not aware. 606. Do you remember a complaint being made by Mr. Boardman, about a man named Morton Quin ? Tou are aware there was a fire ? —I am not aware that he made any complaint, but I remember tbe case. The fire took place in the house of Quin, Senior. 607. Did you inspect the premises ? —I put the fire out. 608. Did you make a report of the matter? —I did. 609. Did you consider the circumstances suspicious ? —I did. 610. Did you report accordingly ?—I reported the whole case. 611. AVhat steps were taken about it?—l am not aware that any steps were taken. 612. No steps were taken?—So far as lam aware. 613. Is Quin here now?—Ho is in AVellington. 614. AVas he a man of good character? —No ; he was a man of bad character. 615. Tour report went in to Inspector Atchison?—Tes. 616. Did he ever speak to you about your report ? —I have no recollection of any conversation about it. I gave in a full report. 617. Has he never spoken to you about it since ? —I have no recollection. 618. Has Mr. Boardman spoken to you about it? —Tes; to Inspector Atchison, I think. 619. He asked that steps should be taken ? —Tes. 620. AVill you tell us the circumstances on which you reported ? —Morton Quin is a son of John Quin. He resided in his father's house, and the fire occurred in a small room in the house occupied by Morton Quin as an office. One evening I. was going along near a place called Maori Row, when I saw a sudden glare in Quin's house. I rushed in and went into this room used as an office. There was a strong smell of kerosene, aud papers were burning on the floor and on the table in the room. I threw a rug over the blaze on the table, and after a good deal of trouble put out the fire on the floor, having in the meantime called aloud for help. All the papers were saturated with kerosene, and I had so much difficulty that I thought at one time I should have to retire. However, I stuck to the fire until I got it out. 621. Then did you go in search of Quin himself?—l did. 622. When did you find him ? —I did not find him that day. I was informed he had just gone out of the house. The next day Sergeant Smith and I found him in bed in the Melbourne Hotel. We found the right-hand sleeve of his shirt and other parts of his clothing smelling strongly of kerosene. 623. Was there any insurance on the place ? —The place was insured for £400, and it was not worth £150. The land is worth a good deal, but the building was worth next to nothing. 624. Tou reported all this ?—Tes. 625. Mr. Barton] Did you make any inquiry as to whether Quin was connected with the Foresters ?—Tes; several Foresters came to me to look for documents, but I would give them no information till I got authority from Inspector Atchison to do so. I locked up the premises with a lock I purchased for the purpose, and until I got authority I would not give up any documents. Then I did. I believe Quin is now short £200 or £300. 626. Did you ascertain whether he had that night attended the lodge to render certain accounts ?