L—2b.

48

APPENDIX No. 6. Produced at Meeting Bth September, 1875. (Memo, from Mr. Palmer.) Union Bank of Australia, Wellington, 7th September, 1875. When under examination this morning, I stated my belief that the agreement between the Government of New South Wales and the Bank of New South Wales was one for a definite period, and the correctness of my statement was questioned by a member of the Committee. I have since referred to a paper laid before the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales, and find a copy of the agreement appended thereto, which provides that the agreement was " to commence on the Ist July, 1873, and to remain in force up to the 30th June, 1876, inclusive," which fully confirms my statement. J. Paxmeb. The Chairman of Committee on Public Accounts.

APPENDIX No. 7. Produced at Meeting 16th September, 1875. Bank of Australasia, Inspector's Office Wellington, Sib,— Bth September, 1875. Having referred to the Government Gazette on my return to this office, I desire at once to correct a statement made by myself when avowedly quoting from memory this morning. I then said that the increase in the average advances of the Bank of New Zealand, was to the best of my recollection 50 per cent, greater in the year from Ist April, 1874, to 31st March, 1875, than in the corresponding period of the previous years. This I find is very far from being the case, and would therefore ask the permission of the Committee to receive as my answer that " the increase was not so great as for the preceding year." The other portion of the statement, to the accuracy of which I pledged myself according to the Bank returns, namely, as to the actual increase in the average advances on the one hand, and the average deposits and circulation on the other, still holds good. I have, &c, E. W. Mobbah, The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. Inspector.

APPENDIX No. 8. Produced at Meeting 4th October, 1875. Sib, — House of Representatives, Wellington, 23rd September, 1875. I have the honor to draw your attention to certain questions put to Mr. Bridges by a member of the Public Accounts Committee, together with the answers thereto (copies of which are enclosed). It will, I think, be obvious to you that general statements of this kind are prejudicial to the interests of the Public Service, and that Mr. Bridges should not be confined to secrecy, but should be permitted to state, for the information of the Committee and of Parliament generally, the precise facts to which he refers. With this object, I now request that your Bank will permit Mr. Bridges to give the Committee the fullest and most detailed information upon the particular point referred to that the Committee can desire. I have, &c, The Inspector, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. Readeb Wood. Enclosure. Question. —I understood you also to say that you were aware that on one or two occasions the Bank of New Zealand has put pressure on the Government, to the disadvantage of the colony ? Answer. —Yes. Question. —Will you state the circumstances ? Answer. —I would rather not, as it came to my knowledge in confidence, when I held office as their Manager. Sic, — Bank of New Zealand, 28th September, 1875. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter, dated 23rd instant, calling my attention to certain questions put to Mr. Bridges by a member of the Public Accounts Committee, together with the answers thereto, and requesting that the " Bank will permit Mr. Bridges to give the fullest and most detailed information upon the particular point referred to that the Committee can desire." My directors quite concur in the opinion you express, that general statements, such as appear to have been made by Mr. Bridges, are prejudicial to the interests of the Public Service, and not only relieve Mr. Bridges from any secrecy on the subject, but desire me to express a hope that you will compel him to make the fullest disclosure. I have, &c, D. L. Mubdoch, Reader Wood, Esq., Chairman Public Accounts Committee, Inspector. Wellington.