L—6

4

Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Montgomery, That the telegram from J. Ballance to Hon. J. Sheehan, dated 21st September, 1879, be eliminated from the inquiry. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Wakefield, That Mr. Maginnity be instructed to furnish the Committee with copies of all telegrams on electioneering matters in the late general election sent or received by members of the late Government at the public cost. Mr. Sheehan, M.H.R., attended and inspected the originals of his telegrams produced by Mr. Maginnity. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Wakefield. That the Chairman ask the House for a week's extension of time for bringing up the report. Resolved, That Mr. Sheehan, M.H.8., and Mr. A. T. Maginnity be summoned to attend as witnesses at the next meeting of the Committee. The Committee then adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 24th November.

Monday. 24th November, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present .- Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Macandrew i Chairman), Mr. Montgomery, Mr Pitt, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Wakefield. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Order of reference of the 21st November, extending the time for bringing up the report, was read. Mr. A. T. Maginnity, Assistant Secretary, Telegraph Department, attended, and produced copies of telegrams as follows, in accordance with resolution of the Committee at its last meeting:—

In reply to a question by the Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Maginnity stated that the copies produced ' were taken from the originals, and that none of these telegrams had been paid for. He also stated that their money value was £14 16s. 3d. Mr. Maginnity then withdrew. The above copies of telegrams were read by the Chairman to the Committee. The Chairman withdrew, and the chair was taken by Mr. Pitt. Mr. Maginnity was recalled and examined, his evidence being taken down by a shorthand reporter. (Vide Minutes of Evidence.) Resolved, That Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Hon. Colonel Whitmore, aud Mr. Sheehan be summoned as witnesses at the next meeting of tho Committee. The Committee then adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 25th Novembee, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Mr. Macandrew (Chairman), Mr Montgomery Mr Turnbull, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Wakefield. " K«™wjr, mr.

Date. Sender. To Whom Sent. 23 August, 1879 15 30 16 20 „ 20 „ 20 „ 28 „ 28 19 „ 20 „ 10 30 ''1 24 21 14 27 ,. 18 ., W. H. Grace Hon. J. Sheehan. „ Colonel Whitmore A. A. F. Allan, N.A. ... J. Sheehan „ ,, ... J. Grimmond Sir G. Grey Colonel Whitmore — Bush, R.M. F. AfeGuire W. H. Grace J. Sheehan A. AVarbrick J. Sheehan W. H. Grace SirG. Grey J. Ballance »» Sir G. Grey. W. H. Grace. T. W. Lewis. Sir G. Grey (42). „ ' (13). Hon. J. Macandrew. Colonel Whitmore. Sir G. Grey. Hon. J. Sheehan. Hon. J. Macandrew. Hon. J. Sheehan. Sir G. Grey. Hon. J. Sheehan. Sir G. Grey. Hon. J. Sheehan. Colonel Whitmore. Hon. J. Macandrew. 1 September. „ '■> ■■ ,» 3 fl " »* j* •* it jj 11 11 J JJ JJ •' JJ JJ 10 W. H.' Grace Sir G. Grey Hon. J. Sheehan. „ ... „ J. Sheehan Colonel Whitmore W. McCullough. Messrs. Ehrenfried and Douglas. J. S. Shanks. Sir G. Grey. Hon. J. Sheehan. Colonel Whitmore. F. McCarthy. Hon. J. Sheehan. Sir G. Grey ,, ... Colonel AVhitmore