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Have you had any complaints as to the quality of liquors supplied by any of them? -No. There have been complaints made from time to time by the military authorities.
What is the nature of the complaint?-They complained that the men got so drunk that the liquor must be bad.
They have done that more than once, have they?—There have not been recent complaints. I recollect complaints as far back as 1889, I think. They have cropped up from time to time.
Have you had any knowledge yourself of the supply of deleterious liquors in these houses beyond what was contained in the complaints from the military ?—No.
It has never come under your observation at all ?--No.
How did you meet those complaints? Did you take any steps or do anything ?- In my time I do not think there have been any complaints. I am speaking of my own tenure of office.
When did your tenure of office commence ?—In 1893.
From 1893 until now you have had no complaints either by the naval or military people of the quality of liquors supplied by these houses ?-Not to my recollection; there may have been some while I was away.
If there have been you could easily find out?—Yes.
Are your own police allowed to frequent these public-houses?-They are not supposed to frequent then.
Are they allowed to ?---There is nothing to prevent a man from going into a public- house if he be in plain clothes and off duty.
They are allowed to ?—Off duty a man can go into a public-house for his own
purposes.
The CHAIRMAN.--They have their own canteen at the Central Station, have they not? Yes.
That is where they can get their liquor?—Yes.
Where is the liquor bought from?--The local wholesale dealers.
With no reference to the quality at all?-The liquor is approved by myself. I mean I know the brands that are consumed there.
In your time have the police suffered from the sale of deleterious liquors in these places?-No.
You have had no instance of it amongst the police ?—No.
Is drinking carried on largely amongst the police?—No. There is very little.
Dr. HARTIGAN.-Does that also apply to the Water Police ?—Yes. that there is very little drinking amongst them.
I should say
The CHAIRMAN.-The securities that secure the publicans, so far as you know are they genuine securities, that is to say, are they a genuine guarantee as to the character of the publican secured? This is the guarantee." We, the undersigned house- "holders residing at Victoria in the said Colony, certify that the above named applicant "is a person of good fume and reputation, and fit and proper to be licensed to keep an inu or public-house." Then follow the names of three householders. Generally speaking, I should say, yes.
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In certain cases they have not been persons "fit and proper to be licensed to keep an inn or public-house ?" There have been exceptions.