E.—3b

18

177. Dean Mahoney.] No !no ! 178. Wittmss.] Well, perhaps lam mistaken. But I have heard that Father Mahoney had been informed. 179. Mr. Fell.] What reason have you to suppose that information had been given ? Do you mean there were traitors who let the fact out ?—I do not mean that there were traitors, but I have had reason to suspect that our visits were not surprise visits. 180. On all these surprise visits you found things in good order ?—ln fairly good order. 181. Which Brother did you first see on the 30th May?— Brother Augustine. 182. Was he the only one you saw ?—The only one with whom we had conversation. 183. How long were you there before you saw Brother Loetus return ?—About two hours; from about 11 to 1. 184. And all this time was occupied in arguing about the rooms, &c. ?—Yes. 185. You are sure that your recollection in the matter is correct?— Yes. Correct, I believe, in every particular. 186. Did you report the matter to the Board as fully as you have stated it here to-day ?— Yes; we reported to the Board in writing. 187. Who drew up the report?—l did. 188. I suppose you stated in the report all that you have told us to-day ? —Yes; it was written shortly after our return, whilst it was fresh in our memory. 189. How many of the late boys have you seen since the 30th May? You have made it your business to interview them, I believe?—l have interviewed none, but several boys have interviewed me. 190. Mr. Wardell.] How many boys have you seen, or have seen you?— The best part of twenty—roughly speaking. 191. Mr. Fell.] Are these all past boys ?—Mostly. I have only seen one resident inmate. 192. Mr. Bush.] And did all these boys come to see you of their own accord ?—Yes. Most of them. 193. Mr. Wardell.] Was the visit of these boys paid to you of their own free will, or did you ask them ? —About fifteen came of their own free will. Others I may have asked if they had anything to say. 194. What made them come? Had anything appeared in the newspapers?— Yes. They came in consequence of what they saw in the newspapers. 195. Mr. Fell.] Do you know an inmate of the school named Lynch ?—Yes. I have seen him once. 196. How came he to see you ?—He brought me a letter from Dr. Mackie, by whom he is employed. 197. And you had a conversation with him on the matter of this inquiry?— Yes. 198. Can you give the purport of the conversation?—l can give it word for word. (Witness proceeded to read a written statement). 199. Mr. Wardell] You had better not proceed with that statement. Do I understand that you took it down from the boy at the time?— Yes. 200. Mr. Wardell.] Very well. It may be used some other time, but not now. 201. Mr. Fell.] Did you tell that boy that if any boys were beaten they were to let you know, and that they were to run away in a mass?—No ; 1 did not. I told the boy to let me know if they were threatened with punishment for giving evidence. 202. And you did not tell him to tell the boys they were to run away in a mass ?—I most emphatically deny that. 203. Mr. Wardell.] Is there anything else you would like to say?— Yes. On a previous occasion when I visited the institution, in company with Mr. Hey ward, he complained in my presence of the clothing of the boys. As Believing Officer, it was his duty to inspect the institution. 204. Was this within the last two years?—-Yes. 205. Was that complaint entered in the books ?—Yes ; in our books. 206. But in the books of the institution ?—-No. 207. Do you remember the nature of the complaint ?—I heard him complaining about boys being poorly clad. Ido not know the exact nature of the complaint. 208. How do you know a complaint was made if you do not know the nature of it ? You did not pay particular attention to the nature of the complaint ?—-No. 209. Mr. Harley.] When was this ?—ln October or November last. I am not sure of the month. 210. It has been suggested that your evidence is tainted. Have you any ill-will towards Dean Mahoney?—No; none. I have the greatest respect for him. 211. Are there any business relations between you and Dean Mahoney ?—Yes. Our firm are agents for him, and have been for some years. 212. What are your reasons for moving in this matter ?—I consider it to be a public duty, though a painful one. 213. Mr. Bush.] We understand you went on this visit in May for the purpose of inquiring into the form of punishment ?—Yes. 214. You did not inquire whether the boys had sufficient means for washing, or whether their clothes were changed at proper intervals ?—No; we did not inquire into those particulars.