BUSINESS. 1.—2.

6

Banking arrangoments of the Government.

Mr. Bridges, Director and Acting General Manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, attended, and his examination upon the matter under the consideration of the Committee was commen ced. Question, That the room be cleared, put and agreed to. Witness having withdrawn, Committee deliberated. Ordered, That Mr. D. L. Murdoch, Inspector of the Bank of New Zealand, be summoned to attend the next meeting, for the purpose of being re-examined. The Committee adjourned until to-morrow, at 12 noon.

Banking arrangements of the Government.

Friday, 27th August, 1875. Members Present: Mr. Reader Wood in the Chair. Sir F. D. Bell, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Pearce, Hon. W. Fitzherbert, Mr. J. Shephard. Mr. W. W. Johnston, Mr. D. L. Murdoch, Inspector of the Bank of New Zealand, attended, and was re-examined. The Committee adjourned until Tuesday next, at 12 noon.

Tuesday, 31st August, 1875. Members Present: Mr. Reader Wood in the Chair. Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. W. W. Johnston, Sir F. D.' Bell, Mr. J. Shephard, Mr. Curtis, Hon. E. W. Stafford. The Chairman put in a statement which he had received from Mr. J. E. FitzGerald, one of the Commissioners of Audit, showing the mode in which the control and audit of the revenue and expenditure of the colony is conducted. Ordered, That the same be annexed to the evidence taken on the Indemnity Bill. (See Appendix, No. 3.) A written answer to a question put by the Hon. Mr. Fitzherbert was received from Mr. Murdoch, and placed in the Appendix to evidence taken re Banking arrangements. (See No. 4.) The Committee adjourned until to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m.

Indemnity Bill. Banking arrangements of the Government.

Wednesday, Ist September, 1875. Members Present: Mr. Reader Wood in the Chair. Sir F. D. Bell, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Curtis, Mr. J. Shephard, Hon. W. Fitzherbert, Hon. E. W. Stafford. Mr. W. W. Johnston, The Hon. Major Atkinson (the Colonial Treasurer) gave evidence on the matter under the consideration of the Committee. The Committee adjourned until Friday next, at 12 noon.

Banking arrangements of the Government.

Friday, 3rd September, 1875. Members Present: Mr. Reader Wood in the Chair. Sir F. D. Bell, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Curtis, Mr. J. Shephard, Hon. W. Fitzherbert, Hon. E. W. Stafford. Mr. W. W. Johnston, In answer to questions put to him by members of the Committee at the last meeting, the Hon. Major Atkinson (the Colonial Treasurer) laid upon the table a statement of advances made by the Bank of England. (See Appendix, Banking arrangements, No. 5.) The Hon. Major Atkinson gave further evidence. Ordered, That Mr. Josh. Palmer, Chief Officer of the Union Bank of Australia, and Mr. E. WMorrah, Inspector of the Bank of Australasia, be summoned to attend the next meeting. The Committee adjourned until Tuesday, at 12 noon.

Banking arrangements of the Government.