I.—4a,

24

Detective Farrell.

26th Sept., 1878.

Inspector Atchison.

26th Sept., 1878,

—He had not. He was expected there to render accounts as Provincial District Treasurer, but he did not appear that night, the following night, or on any night. 627. Was all that mentioned in the report ? —I think so, but Ido not recollect now. I made as full a report as I could. 628. Respecting Heggarty's case. Tou remember Heggarty was convicted in October last year. He was arrested in June, and convicted in October ?—-I do not recollect the exact month. I know he was tried three times. Twice the jury could not agree. 629. AVere you one of the police who were active in searching out the facts? —No ; I had nothing to do with the facts. But Heggarty came to town with the evident intention of clearing out. I got information one day that he had arrived in town at 2 o'clock one morning, and I reported the fact to Inspector Atchison that he was in town with the full intention, as I believed, of getting away from his trial. He had at this time been committed for trial, and was on bail. I then received instructions to arrest him, and charge him with perjury. I saw him sitting on the jetty, and I arrested him on a charge of perjury, and he was kept in custody on that charge until he was convicted. 630. Tou say that O'Connor told you he had got £10? —Tes. I wish to explain that I feel this case very deeply, because I have been accused of giving information to Mr. Boardman. I have been accused, amongst the men of the force, of supplying information, aud it grieves me very much. I have also been accused of giving information to Mr. Barton. I have been in the force a long time, and I have known Mr. Bartou for thirteen years, during which time we have never had an uncivil word together, nor have I mentioned any thing to any one, who would give him information. Mr. AVallace one day asked me, if I had had any money, and I told him, No. He said he was surprised, because he had given instructions that the money was to be divided between Byrne, O'Connor, aud myself. I told Sergeant Smith, and those are the only two that I spoke to ou the subject. The next time I saw O'Connor I asked him, if he had got any portion of the money (I did not know the amount of the cheque, as Mr. Wallace had not told me), and he said, he had got £10. This was a month after AVallace spoke to me. I also asked Byrne, and he said, ho had got no money. Subsequently Mr. Boardman spoke to me about it, and asked me if I had got any money, and I said, " No." He said, " Tou have not ?" I said, " No." That is all that passed. So far as I was concerned, I knew nothing about the inquiry, till the reports were published. I did not supply any one with information. I did not say anything to any one. 1 have known Mr. Barton thirteen years, and he is no friend of mine, though I respect him as a gentleman, but not as a friend. I was fifteen years in Otago as a first-class detective and a first-class sergeant; and I have been thirty-three years in the service, and never yet gave information against any officer —certainly not against Mr. Atchison, whom I respect very much; but I am sworn here, and will tell the truth. Ido not come here wishfully ; I feel it very much. 631. Inspector Atchison] Did you know Heggarty ?—I knew he was in town. 632. Did you not first know him when I pointed him out? —I think I told you he was in town, you Smith and I went down to the wharf; but I knew him well enough. I had known him for months. I arrested him at your direction. 633. AVho instituted proceedings in Pestridge's case ?—Tou did. 634. Who laid the information ?—I supplied a report, and, after reading it, you laid the information. 635. How long after the fire occurred, was it that the warrant was issued ? —I could not say. I had full time to make inquiries, and I made full inquiries ; and on my report, which Mr. Atchison has, an information was laid. As soon as the information was laid, a warrant was issued ; and I was going down the street to the Railway Station, so as to go away by the 2.30 train to Kaitoke, where it was thought Pestridge was, when I met him and arrested him. 636. Tou do not recollect, what time elapsed between the time of the fire and the time of the arrest ? —No ; Ido not. I was busy getting evidence for the brief. 637. Are you not aware, that the insurance agents waited upon me, and that the warrant was issued the day after tho fire ? —I do not know. The warrant would show. 638. Tou are not aware that Messrs. Simpson and AVallace waited on me, and that the warrant was issued immediately ?—No ; I am not aware of it. Inspector Atchison, being duly sworn, was examined. 639. The Chairman] We asked you to produce the police-book for the Te Aro Station for the year 1875. Have you brought it ?—We have made search, and have been unable to find it. 640. AVas any book kept ? —I believe there was. 641. I mean, was it a rule that a book should be kept ? —Tes; in fact, at every station. 642. Who is responsible for the book ? —Constable Buchanan was in charge of the station at the time. 643. AVhat becomes of these books when they are done with from year to year?— They are handed over to the central station. 644. And who is responsible for their safe custody at the central office ? —Sergeant Fraser. 645. Has he been asked for the book ? —He has this morning been hunting for it, but has been unable to find it. 646. AVhat has he to say ?—He cannot account for its loss at all. 647. AVhat does Buchanan say?—l do not know. 648. Mr. Swanson] Has he got a receipt from Fraser for the safe delivery of the book ?— Ido not think he has. 649. The Chairman] Who is the clerk in your office ? —Sergeant Fraser. 650. And he keeps the books and papers r- —Tes. 651. It appears that the original of Farrell's report on Quin's fire is also missing ? —Tes. 652. Is he responsible for that ? —ln a measure, Tes ; but the place is always open. We never keep it shut up.