H.—No. 8,

TELEGRAPH ENQUIRY COMMITTEE.

9

Mr. Francis Gifford was nest introduced, and, having been sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. With reference to a portion of the evidence given by Mr. Gifford, the following telegrams (in original) were laid before the Committee by Mr. Lemon with permission of, respectively, the proprietors of the Sawhe's Bay Herald, the Evening Post, and the directors of the Otago Daily Times : — "Press telegrams of European news for the Evening Post, Wellington; dated Hokitika, lOh. 15m. p.m., September 8, 1870." " Press telegrams of European news for the Hawkc's Bay Herald ; dated Hokitika, lOh. 15m. p.m., September 8, 1870." " Press telegrams of European news for Times, Dunedin; dated Hokitika, lOh. 15m. p.m., September 8, 1870." " Press telegrams of European news for Independent, Wellington ; dated Hokitika, lOh. 20m. p.m., September 8, 1870." " Press telegrams of European news transmitted from station at White's Bay, or the above * papers and others in the North Island." On examination it was found that the time at which the press telegram of the Evening Post was received by the proprietor was not noted on the receipt form. Mr. Gifford withdrew. Mr. E. T. Gillon being in attendance, was introduced, and, having been sworn, gave evidence, which was taken clown and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Gillon withdrew. Mr. Lemon was then sworn and examined. His evidence was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. It was ordered that Mr. Gifford should be requested to forward to the Committee a verified copy of the Evening Post of 30th September, 1870. The Committee adjourned until to-morrow.

Sattteday, 28tii Octobeb, 1871. There being no quorum the meeting lapsed. Monday, 30th October, 1871. The Committee met pursuant to summons. Present : Mr. Farnall, Mr. Steward, Mr. Johnston, Hon. Mr. Vogel, Captain McPherson, Mr Webster. Mr. Rolleston, Hon. Mr. Stafford in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Lemon and Mr. Bathgate were present. Mr. Montrose (representative of Greville's Agency) being in attendance, was introduced, and having been sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Montrose read correspondence with the Government relative to a reduction in the telegraph charges on press messages sent by Greville's Agency, and also as to permission being given to send certain telegrams free whilst making arrangements with the press for the establishment of Greville's Agency. Mr. Montrose stated what reduction and privilege were granted by the Government. It was noted that no reduction in the telegraph charges was allowed by Government to the Press Association when Mr. Barton was arranging details for its organization. Mr. Montrose withdrew. Mr. Smith, officer in charge of the Telegraph Office at Wellington, being in attendance, waa introduced, and, having been sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Smith withdrew. Charles Hill, also of the Telegraph Department, was then sworn and examined ; his evidence was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Charles Hill withdrew. Mr. M. Moseley (late Clerk in the Telegraph Department), being in attendance was introduced, and, having been sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Moseley withdrew. Mr. Lemon having been sworn, certain questions were put to him by Mr. Bathgate. These, with the replies, were taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. With the consent of Mr. Gillon a telegram was produced, purporting to be the original of one presented on 29th July, 1870, at Wellington, for transmission to the Wanganui Chronicle from E. T. Gillon. It appeared on examination that certain words had originally formed part of the telegram, and that the Telegraph Officer had considered them so objectionable as to refuse to transmit the telegram. The telegram was accordingly altered, and then transmitted. The telegram produced to the Committee showed the objectionable passage crossed out, and the alteration subsequently made in it. Mr. McKenzie, proprietor of the Wellington Independent, being in attendance, was introduced, and, having been sworn, gave evidence, which was taken down, and ordered to be attached to the proceedings.