21

H.—l6b

Sir,— Nelson, 17th November, 1902. I, H. Howard, did not say anything to the police, or sign any papers, about Walker's treatment, but I am prepared to swear that he was badly treated when arrested by Durbridge, who caught him by the throat and held him till his face was black, and knock him up against the fence of the tent. H. Howard. Declared at Nelson, this 17th day of November, 1901, before me—Ernest G. Trask, J.P. Inspector.

Sir,— Nelson, 7th November, 1901. Constables Kemp and Durbridge went up to my relatives with a written paper and wanted them to fill it in, and they refused. It was to say that I was well treated, and all the rest. They gave them a statement that I was fairly well treated, as far as they knew. Do not forget to ask the sergeant if I slept at the police-station. You might ask Constable Durbridge if he knew anything about a who was in the family way by him. She was working at the Hotel, and she went to Wellington about the 27th May to give birth. She is working at , Lambton Quay. Yours, &c, B. Walker, Inspector of Police, Greymouth. Care of Mr. Trask, Nelson. Excuse writing in hurry. I gave my razor to Constable Durbridge to mind for me in the morning after we had been locked up all night, and I was not searched until after the first trial. They told my aunt it would be a great kindness to them if she would fill in the paper they took up.

Sir, — District Police Office,. Greymouth, 11th November, 1901. In reply to yours of the 19th ultimo complaining of your treatment by the police, &c, I have to inform you that you are contradicted in almost every particular—not only by Sergeant Mackay and Constables Durbridge, Kemp, and Burrell, but by your late comrade, Howard (supported by his father), and also by your own guardian (Mr. M. Baker). In the face of this I cannot see how you can attempt to prove any of your allegations against the police. Have you anything further to say ? I am, &c, E. Macdonell, Inspector of Police. Mr. B. Walker, care of Mr. F. Trask, Collingwood Street, Nelson.

The Commissioner. I beg to forward this correspondence for your information. On my arrival in Nelson, 2nd February, I found the youth Walker had left with the Ninth Contingent. The case is peculiar. I believe some of his statements are supposed to be true. The above letter is the one Mr. Trask is alleged to be showing people. E. Macdonell, 23/3/02.

(Telegram.) Inspector Police, Grey. Eeceived letter. Will write first opportunity. B. Walker.

New Zealand Police, District Office, Greymouth, Ist November, 1901. Memorandum from the Inspector of Police at Grey to Sergeant Mackay, Nelson. Subject : Letter of Complaint from B. Walker. This letter is forwarded for reports from each member of the Force mentioned therein, together with the original reports and correspondence. E. Macdonell, Inspector.

The Inspector. Please see attached reports from Sergeant Mackay, Constables Kemp, Burrell, and Durbridge; also statement from Howard and Barker. 7/11/01. E. Mackay, Sergeant, No. 210.

Inspector of Police, Greymouth. Nelson, 19th October, 1901. Sir — I, B. Walker, have been up before the Court for theft, and I thought you would like to know how things went on. My mate was locked up in the police-station all night and was not searched. He was told to tell everything and it would be made lighter for him and myself. He was told that he would have to lead them to where I was or else they would make it hard for him. I was camped in the Pelorus. Constables Kemp and Durbridge was led by my mate Howard. As they were going over the Maungatapu they saw a boy coming up the track. They got behind a tree, and when he came along they put two loaded revolvers in his face and said, " Hands up." When they saw it was not me, they gave him a feed and told him not to tell any one or else they would murder him. The boy is working for Mr. Dolomore, of the Maitai. He told the sergeant about it, and he laughed at him. They arrested me without a warrant. The sergeant told them that they did not want one. They held me by the throat till I was black in the face, and put the cuffs on my wrists behind my back and my ankles, and peeled the skin off. Then Kemp put a revolver on my face and said, "If you had run I would have shot you." They made us carry a swag each over twenty miles, and they carried none. We were kept in the police-station all night and was not searched. I had a razor, sheath-knife, and pocket-knife, a gun, and six cartridges in my possession. They did not come near us all night, which I believe is wrong