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Telegram, 25th April, 1902. Sub-Inspector Wilson, Greymouth. Please submit as early as possible the reasons assigned by Constables Durbridge and Burrell for declining to resign when called upon to do so, and meanwhile suspend them pending decision of Minister. Jno. Evans (for Commissioner).

Telegram, 24th April, 1902. Chief Clerk, Police Department, Wellington. Please instruct Sub-Inspector Wilson to submit to Wellington, as soon as received, the reasons assigned by Constables Durbridge and Burrell for declining to resign, and to suspend the constables pending decision of Minister, to whom you will submit the matter as soon as received, wiring me gist of reasons put forward. J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner.

Telegram, 24th April. 1902. The Commissioner of Police, Wellington. Nelson police wire Constables Durbridge and Burrell, under advice of their solicitors, decline to resign, and their reasons in writing will be posted to-day, reaching here, probably, in a few days. Please advise. Edwd. Wilson, Rub-Inspector.

Telegram, 24th April, 1902. Chief Clerk, Police Department, Wellington. Be Mr. Colvin's wire : Have replied regret sergeant's vacancy at Nelson already filled. J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner.

Telegram, 24th April, 1902. J. B. Tunbridge, Esq., care of Police-station, Auckland. Mr. J. Colvin, M.H.E., Westport, wires: "In making departmental changes, would respectfully recommend Sergeant Darby for Nelson." Will you please reply to him. Jno. Evans.

Telegram, 24th April, 1902. J. B. Tunbridge, Esq., Commissioner of Police, Wellington. In making departmental changes, would respectfully recommend Sergeant Darby for Nelson. James Colvin.

Police Department, Wellington, 17th April, 1902. Sub-Inspector Wilson, Greymouth. 1 forward you herewith a copy of my findings on the charges recently inquired into by me against Sergeant Mackay and Constables Durbridge, Burrell, Kemp, and McGrath, and you will be good enough to communicate the result to the officers concerned. In addition to the punishments inflicted therein, Cabinet has made the following orders, viz. : — Sergeant Mackay to be removed from Nelson and not to have charge of a station for six months therefrom. Constables Burrell and Durbridge to be called upon to resign ; and Constables Kemp, Bird, and Williams to be removed from Nelson. You will also communicate this to the officers concerned, and direct Constables Burrell and Durbridge to submit their resignations forthwith. I will decide as early as possible where the sergeant and the other three constables are to be removed to and select officers to succeed them at Nelson. J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police. Noted and returned to the Commissioner. The sergeant and constables named have been informed, and the decisions entered up in the defaulter-sheet.—Edwd. Wilson, Sub.-Insp. 14/5/02. Seen file.—J. B. Tunbridge. 19/5/02.

Police Department, Wellington, 27th March. 1902. The Eight Hon. the Premier. As directed in your memorandum dated the 26th instant, I have the honour to enclose you herewith, — 1. The files containing what purport to be and, as far as I am aware, are copies of statements made to Inspector Macdonell. The original statements were entered in the Inspector's memo-randum-book, which is in his possession at Napier; but, if necessary, this can be obtained. In submitting these copy statements I desire to point out that statements made, not in the presence of the accused, under the circumstances these statements were procured are not evidence against the accused, and as such can only be used to test the credibility of the witness when it has been decided by the tribunal before which the matter has been investigated that such witness is a hostile witness. 2. The files relating to the retirement of Constable Martin : These files speak for themselves, and it will be observed that the charges against the constable were three in number— (a) leaving the Nelson theatre, where he was sent on duty, without permission, and being off his beat; (b) losing his shako and not giving a satisfactory explanation ; (c) while on night duty being found in bed at the Nelson Police-station. Note. —The constable's shako (charge b) was subsequently found on the verandah of a house occupied by a reputed prostitute.