H.—No. 8,

Friday, 22nd September, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to summons. Present: Mr. Farnall, Mr. Eolleston, Hon. Mr. Hall, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Steward, Captain McPherson, Hon. Mr. Vogel. Mr. Pearee, The order of reference was read. On the motion of Mr. Pearce, the Hon. Mr. Stafford was elected Chairman. The Hon. Mr. Vogel made a statement to the Committee in reference to proposals made by the Government for supplying English telegrams to the newspapers. These proposals were not accepted, and the newspaper proprietors made their own arrangements. It then became very desirable that the Government should be put in possession of any very important items of European news at the earliest possible moment. He (the Hon. Mr. Vogel) therefore caused the Collector of Customs at Hokitika and the Bluff to be instructed to telegraph not exceeding 100 or 200 words of important information. The Hon. Mr. Stafford read certain questions he proposed asking the Government and Mr. Lemon, the General Manager of tho Telegraph Department. The Committee agreed that the questions should be put. It was ordered, That a copy of the Pamphlet on the subject of the " Telegraph Libel Case" should be furnished to each member of the Committee, with a view to collating charges against the Telegraph Department. It was ordered, That the following persons be summoned to give evidence before the Committee: Mr. McKenzie, the Collector of Customs at tho Bluff, the Telegraph Operator at the Bluff, Mr. Lemon, Captain Pearce of tho s.s. " Gothenburg," Mr. Mailer, purser, Mr. Gillon. It was ordered, That Mr. McKenzie be requested to attend the Committee on Monday, 20th of September, at 12 o'clock noon. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Vogel, it was resolved, That the Chairman be requested to communicate with Mr. Macassey and Mr. J. B. Barton, with the view of ascertaining whether either or both of these gentlemen desire to be examined before the Committee, and if so to ascertain what is the nature of the evidence they desire to give ; and that the Chairman, if he deems it desirable to do so, should Kummon one or both as witnesses. The usual allowance to be made if they attended. The Committee adjourned until 12 o'clock on Monday, the 25th instant.

Monday, 25tii Septembeb, 1871. Tho Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Pbesent : Mr. Farnall, Mr. Pearce, Hon. Mr. Hall, Hon. Mr. Vogel, Captain McPherson, Mr. "Webster, The Hon. Mr. Stafford, in the chair. The minutes of tho last meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman informed the Committee that, in accordance with a resolution passed at the last meeting, he had sent the following telegram to Messrs. Macassey and G. B. Barton: — " General Assembly, 22nd September, 1871. " Select Committee appointed to examine into the whole question of the working and management of the Electric Telegraph Department, and to report thereon, with power to call for persons and papers, but not to have power to inspect telegrams or to examine officers as to the contents thereof." Would you like to be examined before the Committee, and if so, what ia the nature of the evidence you would desire to give? Is there any additional evidence not submitted in the case of Regina v. Barton, which you could supply ? The usual allowance of one guinea per diem while in attendance on the Committee, and travelling expenses to and from Wellington, will be paid. Reply free. E. W. Stafford, Chairman of Committee. To the above the following reply was received: — " Erom J. Macassey to Hon. E. W. Stafford. " Dunedin, 22nd September, 1871. " I am not aware that I could give the Committee any information not disclosed by the proceedings in Mr. Barton's case. Captain Pearce of the " Gothenburg " will be in Wellington in a day or two. I have understood that a former employe of the Independent, but who is now .on the staff of the Press, could give information not yet disclosed. " James Macassey." 1

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE.