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said, ' Good-night, Bill,' and I said, ' Good-night, Paddy.' I gave them no provocation whatever. I have told you all that took place. I was afraid to remonstrate that I would be roughly handled and locked up. It was pretty late at night. On arrival at the Port I reported the matter to Constable Jeffries. I think it was Constable Kemp struck me and that it was Burrell standing by. Next day I was in the train with Constable Burrell. I spoke to him about the manner in which I was treated. He declared he was not there, saying, 'If I was there it would not have happened.' —W. Eeed." I beg to state that this statement was taken hurriedly the afternoon before I left. I believe Eeed is given to drink, and he told me he was fined for bad language some time ago. He says he broke the law and suffered the penalty, but that it appears the police can break the law as often as they like with perfect impunity. I may state that this man did not complain to me. His name was given to me with that of many others assaulted by the single constables at Nelson, and I sought him out. Now, in this and following two cases I would suggest that a thoroughly reliable man be sent to Wellington Gaol to interview Patrick Gallaghan, or Gallagher, and get a fair statement from him as to what took place on the night in question. I would suggest that Sergeant O'Donovan be sent. I hear Constable Kemp has been to Eeed already. E. Macdonell, Inspector.
Police Department. Eeceived, 27/3/02. From Inspector Macdonell, Grey. Subject : B. Walker's complaints against the Nelson police, reports, &c. Sir,— Nelson, 18th November, 1901. In reply to your letter about my treatment, I am sending you Howard's own statement. He said he never denied anything to the police. They had him down at the station, but he said he never signed any papers for them. You have not got the words of the other four police besides those mentioned in your letter. Constables Bird and Williams were on night duty, and you might write and ask them about us staying at the station. Howard is prepared to swear that what he is sending you about my treatment is true if called upon to do so. Constables Aldridge and McGrath also knew we slept at the station. Howard's father knew nothing about us except that we slept at the station. Kemp and Durbridge went up to my people with a copy, and wanted them to sign their names to it, which they refused. Kemp then asked them if they would write a few lines as a great kindness, as it would help them a lot. The words that they wrote were I was fairly well treated as far as they knew, and signed their names to it. Howard was locked up at the station in the old cells on Tuesday night, the Bth October, 1901. No one came to see him all night. Durbridge told him if any one came and spoke to him to tell them to go to Hell. On the 9th October, 1901, Howard escorted Kemp and Durbridge to the camp. As they were coming over they saw a boy down the track, and the three of them got behind a tree and waited till he came along. Kemp and Durbridge jumped out in front of him and said, " Hands up." They then asked Howard if it was me, and he said, " No." They gave him some cake, and told him not to tell any one or else they would kill him, &c. The boy told the sergeant about it, and he laughed and said it would be all right. I can get the boy's own statement if you would like it. When they got to the camp Kemp said, " I arrest you," and he started handling me roughly, and we went over together. I got up, and Durbridge got me by the throat and banged me up against the fence of the tent. They then put the cuffs on my hands behind my back and on my feet, and then Kemp pulled out his revolver and said, "If you had run away I would have shot you." We remained at the camp all night, and came down on the 10th October, and slept at the station in the old cells. We were not searched. I had a razor and a sheath-knife, which Burrell took away from me in the morning at breakfast when I showed it to him. I had six cartridges and matches in my pockets. The gun was left in the passage where we were till 10.30, and then Durbridge locked us up, and told us not to speak to any one that came cruising around during the night. Durbridge acted as gaoler. On Tuesday, the 11th, we went up before the Court and were admitted to bail. After Court we were taken over to the gaol, and the sergeant told us not to tell Constable Bird anything about it, in case he brought up a fresh case. Howard was let out on bail in the afternoon. While staying at the station my aunt came round, and the sergeant said to her that we would get off lightly, but he said to her if she engaged a lawyer he would push the case to the uttermost. He told me one night we would get off lightly, but if I engaged a lawyer it would put him on his pins and he would have to push the case. My aunt told the lawyer about this, and he said if it was to come out he would get the sack. I was there and heard him say it. Constable Bird searched me at the gaol, and he was there when the sergeant asked me to stay with the men at the station when I got bailed out. I slept with the men in their own room on the 17th, 14th, and loth October, 1901. On the 13±h I went with them to the camp and brought the remainder of the stuff' over. On the 16th we were brought before the Court and let off on probation. There are several other charges against them, and if you are coming along this way I can make it worth your while to inquire into it. It seems as if those four you mentioned had done a bit of planning together, as they were always having trouble, &c, up this way. If they denied everything I wrote to you about, which was perfectly true, as Ido not want.to tell any lies about the matter, they must be very bad. I showed the mark that Durbridge left on my throat to a lot of citizens, and you can see the scars yet, although it is a month ago. When we were coming down the Maitai the second time Kemp asked the boy what he told for, and said he would chuck him in the river if his boss was not there, and swore at him. If you want to know anything about Durbridge and the girl, see copies of telegrams for June at Telegraph Department between Wellington and Nelson. Yours, &c, Inspector. B. Walker, Care of F. Trask, Collingwood Street, Nelson,