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3. The file relating to the late Constable Cullinane's illness. 4. A petition received by me this day from the Mayor of Nelson. 5. The files, Nos. 01/18i0, 02/396, 02/397, 02/437, 02/438, and 02/624, relating to charges of alleged assaults against various members of the Nelson police: File 02/624 reached me for the first time this morning. The other files also reached Wellington this morning from Greymouth. I was therefore unable to submit them earlier. Although these files are not asked for, I enclose them lest it should be suggested I was keeping something back from Cabinet. My reason for not inquiring into these alleged assaults are given on each of the files, except 02/624, which, as before stated, reached me for the first time this morning, and are also repeated generally in my memorandum on this subject dated the 24th instant. J. B. Tunbridge, Commissioner of Police.

Premier's Office, Wellington, 26th March, 1902. Memorandum for the Commissioner of Police. In going through the papers I find a reference is made to evidence tendered and signed statement given to the Inspector of Police, Mr. Macdonell. I presume there is a report with these papers, and I shall be glad if you will forward them for Cabinet. In the evidence reference is made to Constable Martin, who is retired from the Force for going off his beat. Inspector Macdonell makes the statement. Kindly forward the papers connected with Constable Martin's retirement. There is no further clue in the papers, and Inspector Macdonell should be able to give the details. Kindly send on file relating to Culinane's illness. We had it before in Cabinet in reference to Mrs. Culinane's claim for compensation. E. J. Seddon.

Petition from Nelson Eesidents. Sir,— 27th March, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 24th instant, giving cover to a petition signed by yourself and 235 other residents of Nelson, addressed to the Hon. the Minister of Justice, asking that the Nelson District may not be deprived of the services of Sergeant Mackay, &c, and, in reply, to inform you that the petition will be placed before the Minister as requested. I have, &c, J. B. Tunbridge, His Worship the Mayor, Nelson. Commissioner of Police.

Sir,— Mayor's Office, Nelson, 24th March, 1902. I have the honour to forward you herewith a letter from the citizens of Nelson to the Hon. the Minister of Justice on the subject of police administration in this district, and to request you to have the goodness to place the same before the Hon. the Minister of Justice with such remarks as you may deem necessary. The subscribers to the letter have desired me to say that the letter to the Hon. the Minister has not been suggested by any person interested, and that no paid canvassers have been employed. A perusal of the names of the subscribers will convince the Minister that the leading citizens and representative business and professional men have signified their sympathies with the subjectmatter of the letter. Ihave&c, H. Baigent, J. B. Tunbridge, Esq., Commissioner of Police, Wellington. Mayor of Nelson.

[Forwarded through the Commissioner of Police.] Sir,— Nelson, 22nd March, 1902. We, the undersigned citizens of Nelson, have heard it rumoured and have seen by references in the public Press that charges have been made against the senior officer of police in the Nelson District, Sergeant Mackay. We have not been made acquainted with the specific charges made against that officer, but we desire to bring under your immediate notice our knowledge of the highly satisfactory manner Sergeant Mackay has performed his duties as a public officer since his appointment to the Nelson District. His careful atttention to his duties has, in our opinion, proved the means of reducing crime in our city and district to a minimum. As a police officer we have the most perfect confidence in Sergeant Mackay, and know him to be an officer whose integrity is undoubted, and whose attention to duty cannot be questioned, and we most respectfully beg that, consistent with the requirement and discipline of the Force, no action in regard to Sergeant Mackay be taken by the Hon. the Minister which will deprive this district of his services, or which will reduce him in status. Our remarks extend to the Nelson Police Force generally. We remain, &c, Sir, Gen. M. Kane, J.P.; Austin H. Bisley (Bisley Bros, and Co.); W. Eout, jun. (W. Eout and Sons); J. Henry Cock, merchant, Nelson ; Albert Pitt, solicitor, Nelson; Edward B. Moore, solicitor, Nelson ; Edward Moore, solicitor, Nelson ; Eoger W. W. Kingdon, solicitor, Nelson ; M. Harley, Wakatu Lodge, Nelson ; Albert H. Baigent, insurance agent, Nelson ; A. T. Maginnity, solicitor, Nelson ; T. M. Brown, jeweller, Nelson ; C. J. Harley, solicitor, Nelson ; John P. Harris, insurance agent; E. H. Birley ; H. Baigent, Mayor; Joseph Nock; J. Sharp, jun., commission agent; C. L. Bell (Harris and Bell); A. Wallace (W. Eout and Sons) ; Geo. Hogg and Co. ; J. Gore Allen ; Thomas Cawthorn ; W. G. Vining, Trafalgar Street;