H.—l4a

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO DEATH OF PRISONER WILSON (REPORT OF).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

Appointment or Commission, (1.5.) Hercules Robinson, Governor. To Alfred Rowland Chetham Strode, of Waikouaiti, Esquire; and William Lawrence Simpson, of Dunedin, Esquire —Greeting: Whereas it is expedient that a Commission should issue for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances attending the death of one John Wilson, late a prisoner in the public prison at Invercargill, and who died therein on about the fifth day of April last past, and for other the purposes hereinafter set forth : Now, therefore, I, Hercules George Robert Eobinson, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of every power and authority enabling me in that behalf, and by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you, the said Alfred Rowland Chetham Strode and William Lawrence Simpson, to be Commissioners for the purpose of inquiring into all the circumstances attending the death of the said John Wilson as aforesaid, and the causes which led thereto ; and particularly to inquire whether there was any improper treatment or neglect of the said John Wilson by the keeper of the said prison at Invercargill, or any of his officers or assistants, or by the medical officer of the said prison, during the period the said John Wilson was confined therein; and generally by all lawful ways and means to examine and inquire into every matter and thing touching and concerning the premises, in such manner and at such time or times as you may think best; and Ido require you to make and hold such inquiry at Invercargill aforesaid, and either in the said public prison, or in such other place at Invercargill as you shall deem most expedient: Provided that any such inquiry may be adjourned by you from time to time, or from place to place, at Invercargill aforesaid. And you are hereby authorized and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, and writings whatsoever which you shall deem necessary for your information in the subject-matter of this inquiry ; and also to have before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, all witnesses and other persons whom you.'shall judge capable of affording you any information touching or concerning the premises. And I do further require you within six weeks from the date of these presents, or as much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to certify to me under your hands and seals your several proceedings and your opinion touching the premises. And I do hereby declare that this Commission shell continue in full force and virtue, and that, subject to these presents, you, the said Commissioners, shall and may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof at such time or times as aforesaid as you shall judge convenient. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor this twentieth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and eighty. ~W. RoiLESTON. Approved in Council. EORSTEE GoEING, Clerk of the Executive Council.

The Commissioners to the Hon. the Ministee of Justice. Sic, — Dunedin, 3rd August, 1880. We have the honor to hand you our report to His Excellency the Q-overnor in reference to the Commission addressed to us of date 29th June, 1880, with the evidence taken by us, and the copy of the proceedings before the Coroner. I—H. 14a.