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Brook Street, Nelson, 4th November, 1901. I, Harry James Howard, have been requested by the police to state all I know concerning the treatment I and A. B. Walker received while in custody. The police came to my parents' residence on the Bth ultimo, and asked me if I was willing to come to the police-station. On arriving at the station Sergeant Mackay asked me what I knew about the hams that were taken from Wilkie's. I said Walker and I took them, also a bridle. Sergeant Mackay asked me what I knew about Haase's dog. I told him Walker and I took the dog, which, with the hams, were at the camp at the back of the Maungatapu Eange, in the Pelorus. The sergeant asked me if I had anything else to say. I then told him of the various thefts Walker and I had committed, and where the articles were. I volunteered to take the police to where the camp was where I had left Walker. When I told my story to the sergeant it was about 12 midnight, and, as it was proposed to make a very early start in the morning, it was my wdsh that I be allowed to stay at the station for the night. Early next morning, in company with Constables Kemp and Durbridge, I was driven to the foot of the Maungatapu Eange by Sergeant Mackay. The two constables and I proceeded over the Maungatapu Eange. On the other side of the range we met a man who said he had come from Canvastown. I saw the two constables give him food, and treat him kindly. They never threatened him in any way, nor threatened to shoot him with a revolver. After he had finished his food he went on his way, and we resumed ours towards the camp, where we arrived the same evening. I, knowing that Walker would run away if he saw the police, advised one of them to go ahead. Constable Kemp crept through the bush and got close to Walker before he noticed him. I saw a struggle between the constable and Walker. Constable Durbridge ran over to Kemp's assistance, who were both on the ground. I saw Walker make repeated attempts to get away. I saw him handcuffed, and as he still persisted in trying to make his escape the constables put a pair of large handcuffs on his ankles. He was then carried to the tent by Constable Durbridge to pick out his own property from that which he had stolen. After this was done the handcuffs were removed from off his ankles. I slept that night handcuffed to Constable Durbridge, and Walker was handcuffed to Constable Kemp. I experienced no hardship through being handcuffed to the constable, nor did Walker. The following morning the handcuffs were removed from my wrist and Walker's. The constables made up portion of the stolen property into light swags. Walker's consisted of al2 lb. ham rolled in a blanket; mine two fryingpans, a bridle, a portion of a ham rolled in two blankets. I carried my swag without difficulty, and I heard Walker say his was the lightest swag he had carried over the range. It was of our own free-will that we carried these swags. On the return journey at the " horse-bridge "we visited a cave where there was a quantity of stolen property which I had pointed out the previous day. The constables each made up a heavy swag, and carried it to the foot of the range, where we were met by Sergeant Mackay with a trap. The property and ourselves were conveyed to Nelson Policestation, where we received food and kind treatment. We were both searched, and at night put into cells together. The following morning we were brought before the Court, and remanded until the 16th October. I received bail at the hands of my father. Walker said he did not want bail, as he was getting better treatment than he would receive at his home. I heard Walker volunteer to go back to the camp with the police and assist in getting the balance of the stolen property. I also would have gone back, but my father required me to assist him at the brick-kiln. I frequently met Walker on the street when he was on bail. He made no complaint to me of any harsh treatment. On the contrary, he said he was treated well. We did not have either sheath-knife, guns, nor ammunition or pocket-knives in the cell we slept in. I saw Constable Burrell search Walker before he was placed in the cell the first night. I was present at the police-station when Walker picked out his own property from amongst the stolen property, and said, " That's all that belongs to me," and put it into a sack. He asked the police if he would be allowed to leave it till he called for it. • Witness —John Howard. H. J. Howard. I heard my son make this statement. He made it of his free-will, and without pressure or threat. And lam thoroughly satisfied with the treatment my son received at the hands of the police in this matter. John Howard. P.S. —I have been requested by a certain party in this town to agitate against the police in this matter, with a view of causing trouble to the police. John Howard.

Police-station, Nelson, 16/10/01. Wilkie and Co.'s: Eeceived from the police, Nelson, two hams of bacon and one double-reined bridle and martingale. Wilkie and Co. Police-station, Nelson, 16/10/01. Tatton's : Eeceived from the police, Nelson, four blankets, one steel, and one chopper. A. Scott (for Mr. Tatton, October 17). Police-station, Nelson, 16/10/01. S. Kirkpatrick and Co. : Eeceived from thepolice, Nelson, 1 71b. tin white pepper, 8 tins jam, 19 tins baking-powder, 6 tins coffee, 2 tins carbonate soda, 3 tins tartaric acid, 8 bags rolled oats, 6 bags wheatmeal, 1 tin ground ginger. S. Kirkpatrick and Co. (p. J. Duff). Police-station, Nelson. Snodgrass : Eeceived from police, Nelson, 6 bars and 14 cakes of soap. E. Snodgrass (per W. S). Police-station, Nelson. Percival's : Eeceived from police, Nelson, two fryiDg-pans.