1,-2

4

Leave was granted to Mr. Shaw to recall the witness Henshaw. A reporter attended. The witness, after being further examined, withdrew. Mr. Shaw put in, as secondary evidence, the certificate of the conviction of Cholwell Dean Pitt, at the Supreme Court at Auckland, on a charge of bribery. (Vide Appendix.) Mr. Barton objected to the admission of this document as evidence against Captain Bead. The parties having been requested to withdraw, the Committee proceeded to consider the admissibility of the said certificate ; and, after deliberation, Resolved, That the document be received on its merits as confirmatory evidence. The parties were then called in, and informed of the decision of the Committee. Mr. Shaw tendered depositions of Hori Ngatai, of Tauranga, taken and made before the Eesident Magistrate at Tauranga (vide Appendix) ; also affidavit of his having been unable to procure the attendance of Hori Ngatai and other important witnesses. Mr. Barton objected to the deposition being received by the Committee, on the ground that it would not be admitted in a Court of law as evidence in a prosecution for perjury. The Committee, after deliberating, decided to allow the document to be received. Resolved, That Mr. Barton be heard to-morrow on behalf of the respondent. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock. Saturday, 29th July, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Stout. Mr. Whitaker in the Chair. Mr. Barton applied for an adjournment of the Committee till Monday next, 31st instant. Adjournment granted. The Committee adjourned till Monday, 31st July, at 10 o'clock a.m. Monday, 31st July, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Mr. Curtis, Mr. Stout, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Wason, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Whitaker. Mr. Moorhouse in the Chair. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Barton were in attendance. Mr. Barton made application to the Committee to have the consideration of the ease further adjourned, to enable him to procure the attendance of Major Pitt and several Natives, and also several members of a committee sitting at Gisborne to promote Mr. Bead's election ; and produced affidavit of Mr. Wilson, solicitor, Gisborne, in support of his application. The parties having withdrawn, the Committee considered the question of further adjournment. After deliberation, Mr. Stout moved, That Mr. Barton be allowed a fortnight, in order to obtain any witnesses he may be able to produce, on the understanding that if witnesses are not then in attendance, no further time or adjournment will be allowed. Mr. Whitaker moved the following, as an amendment: —That the respondent be granted an adjournment for a fortnight; and unless the Committee see that other witnesses who could not be procured within that time are likely to. attend within a reasonable time, no further adjournment will be granted. On this amendment, the Committee divided, — Ayes, 3. Noes, 3. Mr. Johnston, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Montgomery, . Mr. Stout, Mr. Whitaker. Mr. Wason. Mr. Moorhouse gave his casting vote for the amendment, which was therefore carried. The parties were called in, and informed of the resolution of the Committee. Mr. Shaw thereupon applied for further time to produce Hori Ngatai, a Native, and the Returning Officer. Mr. Whitaker moved, That further time having been granted to the respondent to procure evidence, the petitioner be also allowed the same time to supplement his case. Mr. Stout moved, by way of amendment, That Mr. Shaw be allowed to call Hori Ngatai and the Returning Officer, if in attendance in a fortnight. Upon this amendment the Committee divided, — Aye, 1. Noes, 5. Mr. Stout. Mr. Johnston, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Wason, Mr. Whitaker. The amendment was therefore lost,