I.—6a.

8

was asked, having written out the voucher, whether he was aware " the money was Government money for public purposes, because the purposes were stated on the voucher, " he answered, " I may say that I never thought of that at all." The Controller and Auditor-General had no doubt that this money was public money issued for public purposes. The following facts are therefore clear:— I. That a payment of £300 was made from the Treasury on the authority of the Executive Government to Mr. Sievwright, to retain counsel to inquire into promises, &c, to the Natives in regard to land on the West Coast, in view of the appointment of a Eoyal Commission at a future time. 11. That Mr. Eees was the barrister so retained, being a member of the House of Bepresentatives at the time. 111. That the money was paid without a vote, though Parliament was in session at the time of payment. IV. That pressure was brought upon Mr. Hoani Nahe to pay the money in great haste, and against his own judgment. V. That nothing of any practical value has been done for the money so paid, and that no public purpose has been served by its payment. The Committee are forced to the conclusion that the money in question has been paid in a most irregular manner; that for the House to vote it would be establishing a dangerous precedent; and that the 70th Section of the Public Eevenues Act, 1878, gives full power to the Executive to deal with the circumstances ef this case should they agree with the conclusion at which the Committee has arrived. Motion made (Mr. Wood), and it was Resolved, in line 21, to strike out the words "from the evidence of Sir George Grey." Motion made (Mr. Wood), and question proposed, in the last paragraph, to strike out the words " the 70th section," in order to insert the words " Part VIII." 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 " Part VIII." Question proposed, That the report, as amended, be now adopted. Motion made (Mr. Ballance), and question proposed to leave out all the words after " That" to the end of the question, in order to insert instead thereof the words " from the late period of the session, and the fact that the printed evidence and resolution have only recently been in possession of the members, the final decision cannot fairly be arrived at in the present session. That accordingly the evidence and. minutes only be reported to the House, and that the matter be further considered at an early period of next session for the final report." Question put, That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question. The Committee divided. Ayes, 5 : Hon. Mr. Dick, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. McLean, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Wood. Noes, 1 : Mr. Ballance. Question put, That the report as amended be now adopted. The Committee divided. Ayes, 5 : Hon. Mr. Dick, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. McLean, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Wood. Noes, 1 : Mr. Ballance. Motion made (Mr. McLean), and it was Resolved, That the Chairman be instructed to report to the House in accordance with the foregoing resolutions. Motion made (Hon. Mr. Hall), and it was Resolved, That the Committee do now adjourn. Adjourned.