F—No. 3

AGAINST MR. C. W. RICHMOND.

9

Mr. W. Griffin 1 Aug., 1861.

38. Are you aware whether there were any material alterations made? —I am not aware of any. 39. Mr. Chairman of Committees.] You have stated that "our reports are substantially true, but not accurately,"—will you be good enough to say more specifically what you mean by " not accurately"? —I mean where members speak in such a low tone that every word cannot be heard distinctly in the Reporters' box. 40. Am Ito understand that substantial errors arise in reports on that account, that is to say, that the meaning of members is perverted?—By no means. 41. You have stated that you allow members to revise or correct their speeches : according to your general experience has this revision been faithfully performed?— Last Session there were several instances to the contrary, but not so this Session. 42. Mr. Fitzherbert.] What meaning do you attach to the word "inference"?—l should explain the word by saying wo never go so far as to report a member opposing a motion, when he is supporting it. 43. Then can you generally, in your reports of members' speeches, rely on the accuracy of the arguments used? —When we hear members speaking distinctly our reports are substantially correct. 44. In this particular case, can you rely on the accuracy of your report of Dr. Featherston's speech, as reported by you, and printed in the New Zealander newspaper?—To the best of my knowledge that is a correct report of his speech; lam not aware that it was altered in any way. 45. If it had been altered, must you not have been aware of it? —Having heard the speech (and, from its importance, it was impressive), and written it, and afterwards compared it with the notes after it was printed in the paper, so far as my memory was concerned, I think I should have been able to discover any alterations that had been made. 46. Is the Committee to understand that, in your opinion, it is difficult to rely on the entire accuracy of reports made of speeches in the House, in consequence of the Reporters' gallery being constructed in a manner unfavourable to the transmission of sound?—As it applies to some speakers. 47. As it applies to Dr. Featherston, how is the case?— Dr. Featherston is very difficult to hear; he speaks very low at times. 48. Do the Reporters of the Southern Cross labor under this difficulty equally with those of the New Zealander? —Of course, being in the same box. 49. Have you compared the reports of Dr. Featherston's reply, as they appear severally in the New Zealander and Southern Cross newspapers?—l have read the Southern Cross since I came here ; the New-Zealander I read at home. Upon motion of the Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, the Committee adjourned until Friday at 10 a.m.

Friday, August 2nd, 1861. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present:— The Hon. the Speaker, Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., The Hon. Mr. Crosbie Ward, " Creyke, " " " Henderson. " Chairman of Committees. Mr. Weld in the Chair. Minutes of last Meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Griffin's examination continued. 50. Mr. Cracroft Wilson, C. B.] Was the transcription of the reply written out by you, and revised by Dr. Featherston, or were your notes only made use of? In the former case how much of the speech is your writing?—l wrote the transcription from beginning to end, with the understanding that he would revise it, and I took it myself to Dr. Featherston's residence; assuming the matter to be of a personal nature, I was desirous of having no mistake, at least on my part. 51. Did Mr. C. W. Richmond correct the transcription of the rejoinder which he was permitted by the House to make to the charge contained in the reply of Dr. Featherston?—He did; I gave my notes into his own hand. 52. In making the reply, Dr. Featherston stood at the table, and he was within twenty feet of you (except the few opening words); I, who was at a distance three times greater, heard almost every word; do you, with the practised ear of a Reporter, wish the Committee to understand that you did not hear Dr. Featherston on the occasion alluded to?—I heard him in the same that 'way you state-—" heard almost every word;" on that occasion I may say I heard him tolerably well.

Mr, W. Griffin 2 Aug., 1861.