F.—No. »•

AVednksday, 18th Septembee, 1867. Peesent: Mr. Campbell, Mr. Moorhouse, Dr. Featherston, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Stevens, Mr. .Tollie, Mr. A rogel, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Williamson. Tiie order of reference was read. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Stafford, the chair was taken by the Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Stafford, Ordered, That copies of the various .Acts under which Provincial Loans were raised, or authorized to be raised, be placed before the Committee. On motion of Mr. Moorhouse, Ordered, That the following gentlemen be summoned to give evidence: —Messrs. T. Eussell, Cowie, John Johnston, Pharazyn, Miller, Buchanan, Bridges, Beeves ; Mr. Eussell to be summoned for noon to-morrow. On motion of Mr. AVilliamson, Ordered, That a sub-committee he appointed to receive and classify the questions which the members of the Committee may prepare to be put to witnesses. To consist of the Chairman, Mr. Stevens, aud Mr. A'ogel. Adjourned until 11.30 of Thursday, the 19th September.

Thuesday, 19tii September, 1567. Present: Mr. Campbell, Mr. Moorhouse, Dr. Featherston, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert, Mr. Stevens, Mr. .Tollie, Mr. Vogel, Mr. Macandrew, 'Mr. Williamson. Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Eussell was in attendance. Mr. Eussell was requested by the Chairman (in order to save time) to write answers to the questions prepared by the Committee, and to hand in these answers as early as possible to-morrow morning: also, to be in attendance at 11.30 a.m. This, Mr. Eussell promised to do. Ordered, That copies of the questions be immediately written out, and sent to Mr. Russell for his written replies. Adjourned to Friday, the 20th instant, at 11 o'clock.

Fbiday, 20th Suptembeb, 1807. Peesent : Mr. Campbell, Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Curtis, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Dr. Featherston, Mr. Stevens. Mr. .Tollie, Mr. Vogel, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Williamson. Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert in tho Chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. BusseLVs answers to the questions proposed were handed in, with the exception of tho answers to those proposed by Mr. A 7ogel, which Mr. Eussell promised to give to-morrow. The questions and answers were read over to tho Committee. On motion of Mr. Campbell, Ordered, That all questions put to Mr. Thomas Eussell, and his replies thereto, be printed, and circulated for the information of members of the Committee ; and that the Committee meet to take them into consideration on Monday. Moved by Mr. Curtis, That any gain arising from the consolidation of tho Provincial Loans Inextending the colonial guarantee to the Provincial Creditor shall be treated as Btrictlj colonial revenue, and shall be subject to appropriation by the General Assembly for colonial services. It is understood that in the case of unraised loans the term " gain" shall only apply to such sums as may be realized from sales above par. 2

PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE.