H.—No. 8,

MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OE THE

6

Vide Appendix.

Eeplt. " The Bluff, 7th October, 1871. " Mr. Fordham obtained the information in his telegram to Chesney from a friend of his on board the ' Gothenburg.' Fordham declines to give any name. Mr. O'Toole has now in his possession the original document in the handwriting of Fordham's friend (from whom part of tho message was compiled), the other part of which was compiled from the second edition of the Argus. "MotTNTFOKT." Mr. Lemon laid before the Committee the original telegram sent by Mr. Fordham to Hokitika oh 30th September, 1870 ; as also the original telegram sent by Mr. O'Toole to tho Commissioner of Customs on the same day. It was resolved, That Mr. O'Toole should be recalled for further examination. Mr. O'Toole was accordingly introduced; his evidence given before the Committee on the 6th instant was read to and signed by him ; and having been sworn, he was again examined, his evidence was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. O'Toole then withdrew. The Chairman read the following telegram he had received from Mr. G. E. Hart, now on the Press at Christchurch, but formerly a Eeporter to the Wellington Independent, from whom Mr. Barton said corroborative evidence could bo obtained of certain statements he would make to the Committee, and whom he (Mr. Barton) wished to examine before the Committee :— " Christchurch, 9th October, 1871. " Telegram received. The only evidence I can give is that I knew from what I heard in the Independent Office, that the Post's message had -been detained until the one addressed to the Independent came through ; but am unable to swear to the details as to how I became aware of the fact. If you think this is of any use I will come." "G. E. Hart." It was resolved, That as Mr. Barton had requested that Mr. Hart should be examined before the Committee, the Chairman be desired to inform Mr. Hart that his attendance at Wellington is required. The Committee adjourned until to-morrow.

Tuesday, 10th Octobee, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Farnall, Mr. Steward, Captain McPherson, Mr. "Webster, Mr. Bolleston, Hon. Mr. Stafford in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Bathgate and Mr. Lemon were present. Mr. W. L. Mailer, who was purser on board the " Gothenburg " during September of 1870, being in attendance, was introduced, and having been sworn was examined. His evidence waa taken down, and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. A document (marked A), dated Melbourne, 21th September, 1870, purporting to be portion of a telegram sent to the Wellington Independent from the Bluff, was identified by Mr. Mailer, as being in his handwriting, and as having been handed in by him to the telegraph operator at the Bluff, on 30th September, 1870. Mr. Mailer withdrew. At the request of Mr. Lemon, it was resolved, That Mr. Eeynolds, M.H.K., should be asked to attend the Committee. Mr. Eeynolds attended accordingly, and made a statement, which was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Keynolds withdrew. It was resolved, That tho Hon. Mr. Fox be asked to attend the Committee. Mr. Fox attended, was sworn, and examined; his evidence was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Fox then withdrew. The Committee adjourned. Thursday., 12th October, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to summons. Present: Mr. Farnall, Mr. Steward, Captain McPherson, Mr. Webster. Hon. Mr. Stafford in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. G-isborno was requested to attend. He attended accordingly, was sworn, and examined. His evidence was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Gisborne then withdrew. Mr. Eoynolds, M.H.E., handed in to the Chairman certain telegrams from Dunedin referring to a portion of the statement he made before the Committee at its last sitting. The telegrams were read. The Hon. Mr. McLean was requested to attend. He attended accordingly, was sworn, and examined. His evidence was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. McLean then withdrew. The Committee adjourned.