I.—6a,

6

is caused by its having been paid as an imprest instead of there having been at the time of payment a direction to charge to such votes as Native contingencies, the Civil list native, or Unauthorised. The Government have full power therefore to deal with the question by bringing it before Parliament without the intervention of this Committee, either as a sum to be veted among unauthorised expenditure, or in. such other way as they may think fit. Adjourned.

Wednesday, 25th August, 1880. The Committee met at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Stevens (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Dick, Sir G. Grey, Mr. McLean, Mr. Moss, and Mr. Wood. The Clerk reported that the printer had not yet forwarded the evidence in the case. Motion made (Sir G. Grey), and it was Resolved, That the Committee adjourn to next day, at 11 a.m., for the consideration of this matter. Order of the House, dated 24th instant, received, That the evidence in the case be laid before the House. Adjourned.

Thursday, 26th August, 1880. The Committee met at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Stevens (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Ballance, Hon. Mr. Dick, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Johnston, Mr. McLean, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Moss, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Wood. Printed copies of evidence laid on the table. Motion made (Sir G. Grey), and it was Resolved, That the further consideration of the case be adjourned to next day at 11 a.m. Adjourned.

Friday, 27th August, 1880. The Committee met at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Stevens (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Ballance, Hon. Mr. Dick, Sir G. Grey, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. McLean, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Wood. Debate resumed. Question again proposed, (See Mr. Wood's motion on 18th instant.) Motion made (Sir G. Grey), and question put, That the debate be further adjourned in order that Mr. Wood's motion may be printed and placed in the hands of members for consideration and comparison, with the evidence. The Committee divided. Ayes, 4 : Mr. Ballance, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Wood. Noes, 5 : Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Dick, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. McLean, and Mr. Saunders. Motion therefore lost. Original question again proposed. Question put, and it was Resolved, That Paragraph I be now adopted. Paragraph 11. Amendment proposed (Mr. Ballance) after the words " 1879" to strike out the words " This date," in order to insert the words " These dates." Question put, and Negatived, That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question. Question put, and it was Resolved, That the words " These dates " be inserted. Another amendment proposed (Major Atkinson) after the word "July" to out the words " 28th," in order to insert the words " 29th." Question put, and Negatived, That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question. Question put, and it was Resolved to insert the words " 29th." Another amendment proposed (Sir G. Grey) to strike out all the words from the words " These dates " to the word " dissolution," both inclusive. Question put, That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question. The Committee divided. Ayes, 6: Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Dick, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. McLean, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Wood. Noes, 3 : Mr. Ballance, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Montgomery. Motion made (Sir G. Grey), and it was Resolved that the debate be adjourned. Motion made (Sir G. Grey), and question proposed, That the Committee do adjourn to Monday next, at 11 a.m. Amendment proposed (Major Atkinson) to leave out the words " Monday next," in order to insert the words "to-morrow, Saturday." Question put, That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question. The Committee divided. Ayes, 4: Mr. Ballance, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Wood. Noes, 5 : Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Dick, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. McLean, Mr. Saunders. Question put, That the Committee do adjourn to to-morrow, Saturday, at 11 a.m. The Committee divided. Ayes, 6 : Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Dick, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. McLean, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Wood. Noes, 3 : Mr. Ballance, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Montgomery. Adjosmed.