H.-JSfo. 8.

2

MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OE THE

The Chairman said, in reference to the above telegram, that, acting on the discretionary power given him by resolution of the Committee, he had not considered it necessary to summon Mr. Macassey to Wellington. The Committee concurred with the Chairman. The following reply was received from Mr. G. B. Barton to the Chairman's telegram:— " Queenstown, 23rd September, 1871. " Although I am anxious to attend the Committee on the Telegraph Department, yet the absence from my business here in attending would be too great inconvenience. lam afraid, therefore, that I shall be unable to leave. I think 1 could give material evidence on the question opened, more especially on the question of Ministerial influence (on) the administration of the telegraph. Could not mv statement, verified by affidavit, be received by the Committee ? The affidavit might be made before the B.M. here, and transmitted to Wellington by him under instructions from the Committee. "G. B. Baeton." A discussion ensued as to whether Mr. Barton's evidence should be taken on affidavit or not; and on the motion of Mr. Pearco 'it was resolved, That Mr. G-. B. Barton be summoned to give evidence before the Committee, and be also requested to give the names of persons (if any) able to support the charge he makes by implication of improper Ministerial influence in the management of the telegraph." In accordance with the above, the Chairman was requested to summon Mr. Barton at once, and to inform him by telegram that the summons was on its way to him by steamer. Mr. McKenzie was introduced and thanked for his attendance, but informed that the Committee did not propose to take his evidence for the present. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Hall, it was resolved, That the Directors of the Daily Times Company be informed of the purposes for which the Committee has been appointed, and be told that the Committee will be glad if the directors will instruct some person to bring before the Committee any complaint which they may desire to make on the subject of abuses in the Telegraph Department. The Hon. Mr. Vogel laid before the Committee two letters, dated 20th August, 1870, containing instructions to the Collector of Customs at the Bluff1 and at Hokitika, to telegraph any important items of European news. Mr. Vogel called attention to the limit of news to be telegraphed being about 100 words, not 200 as he had stated at the last meeting. The Hon. Mr. Vogel suggested that Mr. Lemon, the General Manager of the Telegraph Department, should be present at the Committee while witnesses were being examined; and, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Hall, it was resolved, That during the inquiry into any complaints against the Telegraph Department, a representative of that Department be allowed to be present and produce witnesses. Mr. Lemon being in attendance was introduced, and having informed the Committee that he held the written permission of Mr. McKenzie of the Wellington Independent, and the proprietor of the Evening Post, handed in the following documents : — 1. Containing "forward and received" press telegram (in original) to Independent, Wellington, from Star, Dunedin, dated 30th September, 1870. 2. Containing " forward and received " press telegrams (in original) also transmitted copy from White's Bay to Independent, from Hutton, Bluff, 30th September, 1870. 3. Copy of Independent extra, of 30th September, 1870, and their issue of Ist October, 1870, containing English telegrams. Mr. Lemon also laid before the Committee a copy of the regulations for the management of the Telegraph Department. Mr. Lemon was then examined by the Committee, his evidence was taken down, and it was ordered that a copy should be attached to the proceedings. The Committee adjourned. Tuesday, 26th September, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to summons. Pbesent: Hon. Mr. Hall, Hon. Mr. Vogel, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Webster. Mr. Eolleston, Hon. Mr. Stafford in the Chair. The Chairman suggested that an interim report be submitted to the House, stating that the Committee has resolved that Captain Pearce, of the steamer " Gothenburg," be summoned to give evidence, and, with that object, requesting the House to authorize the Committee to sit, if it should seem expedient so to do, during the time when the House is sitting. The Committee requested the Chairman to bring up an interim report in accordance with the above suggestion. The Chairman stated that he had been informed of another charge against the management of the Telegraph Department which it would be desirable for the Committee to investigate. The charge was to the effect that a telegram from Hokitika, intended for the Evening Post, had been detained for a whole night, and that during such detention the information contained in the telegram had been handed over to the Independent. The Hon. Mr. Vogel moved, and it was resolved, That the Chairman be requested to communicate by telegram to Mr. George Bell, of the Evening Star, Dunedin, in the same terms as were used in the telegrams to Mr. Macassey and Mr. G. B. Barton. The Committee adjourned. .i c