11.— J fa

1905. NEW ZEALAND.

POLICE FORCE OF NEW ZEALAND (REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE).

Laid on the Table of both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

COMMISSION.

PLUNKET, Governor. To Helyar Wedderburn Bishop, of Christchurch, Esquire, a Stipendiary Magistrate, and to Joseph William Poynton, of Wellington, Esquire, Public Trustee: Greeting. Whereas certain members of the Police Force stationed in the City of Dunedin have recently been convicted of receiving stolen goods; and whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be appointed to make inquiry as hereinafter mentioned: Now, therefore, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in exercise and pursuance of the powers and authority conferred upon me by " The Commissioners Act, 1903," and of every other power and authority enabling me in that behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you, the said Helyar Wkddbrburn Bishop and Joseph William Potnton, to be a Commission for the purpose of making inquiry into the following matters and things, namely:— ° (1.) As to the circumstances of the enrolment in the Police Force of Thomas Moses (one of the persons convicted as aforesaid), and as to the failure of the Police Department to ascertain that prior to such enrolment he had been convicted of an offence. (2.) As to the causes which led to the offences committed by certain members of the Police Force in Dunedin as aforesaid remaining undetected, and whether any laxity of administration contributed to such non-detection. (3.) And, generally, as to the system of control and supervision exercised by Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and sergeants of the Police Force, and whether proper control and supervision has been exercised in Dunedin. And for the better enabling you, the said Commission, to carry these presents into effect, you are hereby authorised and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents in the City of Dunedin aforesaid, and at such other place or places as you may deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and from place to place as you may think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise as may be allowed by law such person or persons as you may think capable of affording you information in the premises; and you are also hereby empowered to call for and examine all such books, documents, and papers as you may deem necessary for the purposes of this inquiry, and generally to inquire of and concerning the premises by all lawful ways and means whatsoever. i^nd using all diligence you are required to transmit to me, under your hands and seals, your report and recommendations in respect of the several matters and things inquired into by you not later that the thirty-first day of August, one thousand nine hundred and five, or such extended date as may be appointed in that behalf. And it is hereby declared that these presents shall be in full force and virtue, although the inquiry be not regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment■': And. lastly, it is hereby further declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of " The Commissioners Act, 1903." Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable William Lee, Baron Plunket, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Com(l.S;) mander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies ; and issued under the seal of the said colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this first day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and five. Jas. McGowan. In Executive Council. Alex. Willis, Clerk of the Executive Council