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I.—lo

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Thttbsday, 28th September, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Peesent: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Murray-Aynsley, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Johnston, Hon. E. W. Stafford, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Macfarlane, Mr. E. G. Wood. Mr. Montgomery, Orders of reference read. Resolved, on motion of the Hon. Major Atkinson, That Mr. Curtis do take the Chair. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Stevens, That, the Government having consulted the Committee as to the publication of the complete correspondence of the Loan Agents relative to the last sale of bonds, called for by resolution of the House, the Committee are of opinion that the selection for publication should be left entirely to the Government. The Committee then adjourned.

Thursday, 12th Octobee, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Macfarlane, Hon. E. W. Stafford, Mr. Murray-Aynsley, Mr. Stevens. Mr. Ormond, Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Order of reference of 10th October read. Resolved, on motion of Hon. Mr. Stafford, That the Secretary to the Treasury be directed to prepare an account showing the expenditure in detail incurred on account of the two missions to England of Sir Julius Vogel; such account, when prepared, to be submitted to the Commissioners of Audit for confirmation. The Committee then adjourned.

Friday, 13th Octobee, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Peesent : Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Ormond, Sir G. Grey, / Mr. Pearce, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Reid, Mr. Macfarlane, Mr. Stevens. Mr. Murray-Aynsley, Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Order of reference of 12th October read. Mr. Battin, Secretary to the Treasury, attended and handed in the accounts as requested by resolution of the Committee. (Vide Appendix, A, B, and C.) The Chairman read the accounts produced by Mr. Batkin. Mr. Batkin gave evidence (vide Minutes of Evidence), and produced books of vouchers of the accounts as referred to in the statements handed in by him. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Ormoud, That the Treasury be requested to furnish the Committee with a return showing the cost of all previous missions of Ministers outside the colony. The Committee then adjourned.