1.—2

6

Tuesday, 15th August, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to order and 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 last meeting were read and confirmed. A reporter attended. Mr. Barton opened tho case for the respondent, George Edward Bead, and called Adolphus Frederick Hardy, who, on being sworn, was examined by Mr. Barton, aud cross-examined by Mr. Shaw. Bobert Cooper was called, and, being sworn, was examined by Mr. Barton, and cross-examined by Mr. Shaw. William W. Wilson was then called and sworn, and examined by Mr. Barton, and cross-examined by Mr. Shaw. Mr. Barton tendered affidavits proving failure of service of summons on Cholwell Dean Pitt, one of the witnesses for the respondent. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock.

Wednesday, 16th August, 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 preceding meeting were read and confirmed. A reporter attended. Mr. Barton called Albert Montagu Crapp, who was duly sworn by the Chairman, and examined by Mr. Barton, and cross-examined by Mr. Shaw. The witness then withdrew. William Dunahoo was then called by Mr. Barton, and, being sworn, was examined by him, and cross-examined by Mr. Shaw. Tho witness then withdrew. Mr. Barton here tendered joint affidavit of Mr. W. F. Crawford and Mr. Frederick Dufaur, also affidavit of Louis Pierre Dugleaux, in support of his case for the respondent, they having been members of a committee appointed at Gisborne to further Mr. Bead's election. (Vide Appendix.) Mr. Shaw objected to the admission of thu affidavits, on the ground that the respondent had not used all due diligence to secure the attendance of the deponents before the Committee. The parties having withdrawn, the Committee proceeded to consider the question of the admissibility of the affidavits as evidence. After deliberation, the Committee decided to allow the affidavits to be received. The parties having been called in, were informed by the Chairman of the decision of the Committee. Mr. Shaw delivered to the Chairman affidavit of Mr. Francis Edward Hamlin, Beturning Officer for the East Coast election, stating the number of votes polled for each candidate. (Vide Appendix.) Mr. Shaw applied to have Captain Morris examined, which was granted. George Bentham Morris, being sworn, was examined by Mr. Shaw, and cross-examined by Mr. Barton and the members of the Committee. Before the conclusion of the examination, The Committee adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock.

Thursday, 17th August, 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 preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Further examination of Captain Morris by Mr. Whitaker. This concluded the evidence. Mr. Barton, counsel for respondent, declined to address the Committee further. Mr. Shaw, for petitioner, then reviewed the evidence adduced, and quoted various authorities in upport of the prayer of the petition. The case on both sides being concluded, The Committee adjourned till to-morrow morning, at 10 o'clock.