P.—No. 6a,

Your Committee have the honor to report that they decline to make any recommendation on the Petition of the said James de Hirsch. Htoii Caeleton, 3rd September, 1869. Chairman.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.

Wednesday, Ist Septembee, 1869. Peesent: Mr. Baigent, Mr. Carleton, Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Clark. Order of reference read. ,„/-,,. The Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell moved, That Mr. Carleton do take the Chair. The Hon.' Mr. Dillon Bell moved, That the Committee adjourn to the Legislative Council Chamber to confer with the Select Committee of the Legislative Council. Agreed to. The Committee then adjourned.

JOINT COMMITTEE. Peesestt : Legislative Council. Rouse of Representatives. Hon. Mr. Gray, Mr. Baigent, Hon. Mr. Lee, Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell, Hon. Mr. Mantell, Mr. Brandon, Hon. Mr. Seymour. Mr. Carleton, Hon. Colonel Whitmore. Mr. Clark, Mr. Creighton, Mr. Eichmond. Orders of reference read. On the motion of Mr. Carleton, the Hon. Mr. Mantell took the Chair of the Joint Committee. The Hon. Mr. Lee moved, That the evidence contained in the printed Eeport of the Native Lands Committee of the House of Eepresentatives be accepted as evidence. Agreed to. The following letter from Mr. J. de Hirsch was read : — glB Wellington, Ist September, 1869. I have the honor to tender my evidence, and solicit to be examined before the Committee on the Native Lands Bill, in support of the amendment. I have, &c, The Hon. W. B. D. Mantell, Chairman of Committee. James de Hiesch. The Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell moved, That Mr. de Hirsch be heard before the Committee. Agreed to. The following letter from Mr. J. Home was read : — g IE Wellington, Ist September, 1869. I have the honor, as agent for and representing Mr. Eobert Graham, of Auckland, and also on my own behalf, to solicit that Mr. Eobert Williams Wynn, of Auckland, Solicitor, may be permitted to appear before the Committee as Counsel for Mr. Graham and myself, to cross-examine Mr. Frederick Alexander Whitaker, a witness to be examined this morning before the Committee in opposition to the amendment of the Bill, and from whose cross-examination material evidence in support of the amendment will be elicited. I haye > & c -> The Hon. W. B. D. Mantell, Chairman of Committee. J- Hoene. Mr. Creio-hton moved, That Mr. Wynn be admitted to appear on the part of Messrs. Graham and Home before the Committee. The Hon. Mr. Seymour moved, That the parties applying to be examined, and the Counsel, be introduced forthwith. Agreed to.

REPORT OF SELECT COMMITTEE ON EVIDENCE ADDUCED BEFORE THE NATIVE LANDS BILL COMMITTEE.