I.—G

4

Proposed, by Sir G. Grey, That Mr. Travers be summoned to attend this Committee, to be examined in regard to the legality of the sale, or agreement to sell, of the Piako-Waikato Swamp. The question being put, the Committee divided, — Ayes. Noes. Sir Gr. Grey, Mr. Bryce, Mr. Macandrew, Major Jackson, Mr. Eolleston, Captain Kenny, Mr. Sheehan. Hon. Sir D. McLean, Mr. Ormond. Motion negatived. Hon. Sir D. McLean gave evidence. Resolved, on motion of Sir G. Grey, That some leading counsel in Wellington should be called before the Committee to give evidence on the legal points involved in the question referred to the Committee. Resolved, That the Chairman be requested to put himself in communication with Mr. Dilworth and Mr. Sinclair to give information on the subject now before the Committee. The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday, 13th October, 1875. Committee met pursuant to notice at 11 a.m. Peesent: Mr. Bryce in the Chair. Major Jackson, Mr. Ormond, Captain Kenny, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Sheehan. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Sheehan, That the Committee do adjourn until Thursday, 14th October, when they will consider the report to be made by the Committee. The Committee then adjourned.

Thttbsday, 14tii Octobee, 1875. Committee met pursuant to notice at 11 a.m. Pbesent : Mr. Bryce in the Chair. Mr. Cuthbertson, Hon. Sir D. McLean, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Ormond, Major Jackson, Mr. Eolleston, Captain Kenny, Mr. Sheehan. Mr. Macandrew, Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. C. B. Izard, solicitor, attended and read a memorandum giving his opinion on the legality of the sale of the Piako Swamp. Mr. Izard was examined, and gave his opinion on the subject. The Chairman read telegrams to Messrs. Dilworth and Sinclair. The Chairman read a telegram from Mr. Sinclair in reply. The Chairman read draft of report to be brought forward by the Committee. The Committee then considered the clauses of the draft report. Clause 1 read and agreed to. Clause 2 postponed. Clause 3 read. Amendment proposed, That word " considerable " be substituted for word " great." Amendment agreed to. Clause 4 postponed. Clause 5 read and agreed to. Clause 6 read and agreed to. Clause 7 read and agreed to. Clause 3 read and agreed to. Clause 9 read. Amendment proposed by Mr. Sheehan, That the following be added to clause 9 : " That the land was practically withdrawn from sale by private contract by the Regulations of 1871, which provide that all sales should be by auction after survey." Amendment agreed to. Further amendment, proposed by Mr. Cuthbertsou, That the words "by private contract" be struck out, and the words " otherwise than by public auction " substituted. Further amendment negatived. Further amendment proposed by Mr. Sheehan, That the following be added to clause 9 : " That the transaction was not in accordance with the provisions of the law in force at the time, which clearly required that the making and publication of regulations should precede sale." Further amendment agreed to. Clause 9, as amended, agreed to. Clause 10 read,