I.—lo

4

Tttesdaf, 17th Octobee, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Peesent: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Eeid, Sir G. Grey, Hon. E. W. Stafford, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Pearce, Hon. W. H. Eeynolds. Mr. Eees, Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Batkin attended and produced the return requested by resolution of last meeting. (Vide Appendix, D, E, and F.) Mr. Batkin gave evidence (vide Minutes of Evidence) explanatory of the returns furnished. Sir G. Grey moved, That the Treasury be requested to supply the Committee with an account in detail of the expenditure comprised in the sum of £551 14s. 6d., under the head of Telegrams, Official Eooms, &c, in the statement of expenses attending the first mission of Sir Julius Vogel to England. After some deliberation, iSir G. Grey withdrew the motion. Resolved, on the motion of Sir G. Grey, That there be added to the statements of the expenses incurred by Sir Julius Vogel, a memorandum showing the amount of salary accruing to him during the time over which the missions extended; and that the same addition be made in the case of Mr. Fitzherbert. The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday. 18th Octobee, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Peesent: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Pearce, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Eees, Mr. Johnston, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Larnach, Hon. W. H. Eeynolds, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. E. W. Staffold, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Stevens. Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman read a memorandum from Sir Julius Vogel explanatory of the extra expenses incurred by him during his two missions to England. (Vide Appendix, G and L.) Mr. Batkin attended and handed in statements as requested by resolution of the Committee of yesterday. (Vide Appendix, H, I, and J.) Sir Julius Vogel gave evidence in further explanation of the memorandum read by the Chairman. (Vide Minutes of Evidence.) Mr. Batkin gave further evidence. (Vide Minutes of Evidence.) Resolved, That Mr. FitzGerald, Commissioner of Audit, be requested to attend the Committee to-morrow, at 11 o'clock a.m., for the purpose of explanation of the accounts. The Committee then adjourned.

Thfesday, 19th Octobek, 1876. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Pbesent: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Bees, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Johnston, Hon. "VV". H. Eeynolds, Mr. Larnach, Hon. E. W. Stafford, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Stevens. Mr. Pearce, Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. Mr. FitzGerald attended in accordance with the request of the Committee, and gave evidence. (Vide Minutes of Evidence.) The Hon. Mr. Eeynolds moved, That the Committee recommend that provision be made for the payment of the sum of £2,750, claimed by Sir Julius Vogel as a portion of the expenses incurred by him in his late mission to England. Sir G-. Grey moved the following amendment: —That no accounts whatever have been produced in support of the claim of Sir Julius Vogel for £2,750; and the Committee are of opinion that it would be most objectionable to pay public moneys to any person until the necessary vouchers have been furnished. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Eeid, That the question be not now put.