1.—4.

8

A telegram from Mr. Beetham to the address of the Chairman, was read, when it was Besolved, That Mr. Beetham's suggestions could not be entertained. Telegram attached. The Committee adjourned sine die.

Telegeam from Mr. Beethaji respecting his evidence relative to the Ngakawau, &c. Auckland, 18th September, 1873. Letter just received; reporter had misunderstood mo in several instances, and entirely misrepresented my meaning. All corrections were made in his presence and with his consent. Understood you gave me liberty to do so. Report as it stood I could not acknowledge as my evidence. W. A. Murray, Esq., M.H.R. A. Beetham.

"Wednesday, Ist October, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Pbesent: Mr. Carrington, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. Sheehan. Mr. Murray in the Chair. The order of reference was read. Mr. Beetham's petition was read and attached to proceedings. (Appendix No. 12.) Mr. Beetham appeared before the Committee and gave evidence, which was taken down and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Besolved, That this Committee will continue sitting at all convenient times, so as if possible to give a report this Session, and that the Chairman be requested to convene meetings at all convenient times without formal notice. Besolved, That the Chairman be requested to obtain information by telegraph as to the exact expenditure on Ngakawau and harbour to the 24th August. Resolved, That an interim report be submitted to the House, requesting permission to sit during the sitting of the House, and requesting extension of time to enable the Committee to bring up its final report. The Committee adjourned until further notice.

The Committee assembled at 7 o'clock p.m., pursuant to notice. PItESENT : Mr. O'Conor, Mr. Steward. Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Murray in the Chair. The miifutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. "W. Berry, short-hand reporter, gave evidence before the Committee at its morning sitting, which was taken down in writing and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. Mr. Oswald Curtis appeared before the Committee at its morning sitting and gave evidence, which was taken down in writing and attached to the proceedings. Mr. Beetham, at the morning sitting of the Committee, handed three letters to his address, one of them from Mr. Oswald Curtis, one from Mr. W. Reeves, and one from Mr. John Henderson, which are attached to the proceedings. (Appendix Nos. 13, 14, 15.) A telegram received from Mr. Humphrey, Mayor of Westport, to the address of Mr. O'Conor, a member of the Committee, dated Ist of October, 1873, was read, and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. (Appendix No. IG.) A final report was adopted, and ordered to be presented to the House to-morrow. The evidence thereto to be attached to be first submitted to the Committee. The Committee adjourned till 10.30 a.m., 2nd October, 1873.

Tiiuesdat, 2xn Ocxobeh, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. O'C'ouor, Hon. Mr. Richardson. Mr. Murray in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The evidence as taken and hereto attached was read over by the Committee. A. telegram from the Mayor of Westport, dated 2nd October, and copy of that to which it was a reply, dated Ist of October, were laid before the Committee, and are attached. (Appendix No. 17.) The Committee adjourned sine die.