2

I.—lo.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Wednesday, 22nd October, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to order at 11 a.m. Present • Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Allwright, Captain Colbeck, Mr. McCaughan, Mr. Tawhai, Mr. Fulton (Chairman). The petition was read. (Vide Appendix.) Mr. Rees stated that he attended on behalf of Sir George Grey, X.C.8., the person petitioned against. The Committee adjourned till 12 noon to-morrow.

Thursday, 23hd October, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 12 noon. Present: Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Allwright, Captain Colbeck, Mr. McCaughan, Mr. Tawhai, Mr. Fulton (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting w7ere read and confirmed. Mr. G. S. Cooper, Clerk of the Writs, attended, and produced the writs for the elections of the City of Christchurch District and the Thames District. The petitioner's agent, Mr. Travers, attended, and handed in a declaration of the service of a copy of the petition on Sir George Grey, X.C.8., on Monday, 13th October, 1879. In reply to a question by Mr. Stewart, Mr. Cooper said that all the writs for the present Parliament were made returnable on or before the 17th of September, 1879. Mr. Travers then argued the case for the petitioner. Mr. Rees attended, and argued the case in behalf of Sir George Grey, X.C.8., the person petitioned against. On the motion of Mr. Moorhouse, the Committee adjourned till to-morrow at 11 a.m.

Friday, 24th October, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Allwright, Captain Colbeck, Mr. McCaughan, Mr. Tawhai, Mr. Fulton (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read aud confirmed. The Committee deliberated. On the motion of Mr. Allwright, the Committee adjourned till 2 p.m. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 2.10 p.m., and, all the members above named being present, Mr. Stewart moved the following resolution: "The Committee, having read the petition, and heard the evidence adduced and counsel for the petitioner and the sitting member, find that, according to the law and practice of Parliament in England aud in the colony, an elector may be returned at a general election as a member for two or more constituencies, and that the election of Sir George Grey, X.C.8., as a member for the electoral district of the City of Christchurch was good, and in accordance with law." And, the question being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 3.—Mr. Stewart, Mr. Tawhai, Captain Colbeck. Noes, 4.-—Mr. Fulton, Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. McCaughan, Mr. Allwright. So the resolution was negatived. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m.

Saturday, 25th October, 1879. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 10 30 a.m. Present: Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Allwright, Captain Colbeck, Mr. McCaughan, Mr. Tawhai, Mr. Fulton (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Moorhouse moved the following resolution: "That the Hon. Sir George Grey, X.C.8., was not duly elected for Christchurch at the last general election of members of the New Zealand House of Representatives." And, the question being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 4. —Mr. Moorhouse, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Allwright, Mr. McCaughan. Noes, 3.—Mr. Stewart, Mr. Tawhai, Captain Colbeck. Mr. Stewart moved the following amendment: "That, as Sir George Grey, X.C.8., was not guilty of any misconduct, and was declared disqualified by a majority of only one of the Committee, the Committee are of opinion that, in justice to all parties interested, a new writ should issue, so as to give the electors of Christchurch an opportunity of deciding who shall represent them in this Parliament."