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1.-6

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Monday, 17tii Novembee, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Wakefield. The order of reference, dated 13th November, was read. Moved by Mr. Macandrew, That Mr. Bowen do take the chair. And the question being put, Ihe Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 3. —Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery. Noes, s.—Mr. Bowen, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Wakefield. So it passed in the negative. Moved by Mr. Bowen, That Mr. Macandrew do take the chair. And the question being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow: —■ Ayes, 5. —Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Wakefield. Noes, 3. —Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Turnbull. So it passed in the affirmative, and Mr. Macandrew took the chair. Major F. E. Campbell, Clerk to the House of Representatives, attended, and handed in certain documents. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Montgomery, That these papers remain in the custody of the Chairman until the next meeting of the Committee. It was understood that the members of the Committee should observe secrecy, and that the clerk be instructed to keep secret all matters before the Committee. Resolved, on the motion of tho Hon. Mr. Gisborne, That Dr. Lemon, Mr. A. T. Maginnity, and the Hon. J. Hall be summoned to attend as witnesses at the next meeting of the Committee. The Committee then adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow, 18th November.

Tuesday, 18th Noyembeb, 187!). The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Macandrew (Chairman), Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Wakefield. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Memoranda of Mr. Magi unity, Assistant Secretary, Telegraph Department, and the Premier, forwarded by the Hon. the Speaker, were laid before the Committee by the Chairman. (Vide Appendix A.j A shorthand reporter was iv attendance, and was warned to observe secrecy. The Hon. J. Hall, the Premier, attended, and, being duly sworn, gave evidence, and handed in two documents (included in evidence). (Vide Minutes of Evidence.) Dr. Lemon, General Manager of the Telegraph Department, attended, and, beiDg duly sworn, gave evidence. {Vide Minutes of Evidence.) Besolved, That Mr. Sheehan, M.H.E., and Mr. A. T. Maginnity be summoned to attend as witnesses at the next meeting. The Committee; adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

WEDNESDAY, 19TH NOVEMBEE, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Macandrew (Chairman), Mr. Montgomery Mr Pitt, Mr. .Saunders, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Wakefield. The minutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed. A shorthand writer was in attendance, and enjoined to observe secrecy. Mr. A. T. Maginnity, Assistant Secretary, Telegraph Department, attended, and, being duly sworn, gave evidence. (Vide Minutes of Evidence.) The witness withdrew temporarily, and the Committee deliberated. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Saunders, That Mr. Maginnity be directed to point out which were originally despatched as private telegrams, and to withdraw them with a view to their being sealed up and eliminated from the inquiry. This was done. The witness withdrew. Mr. John Sheehan, M.H.8., attended, and was duly sworn, but his examination was postponed. Resolved, That the documents laid before the Committee by Major Campbell, excepting those eliminated, be read.