1.—7

5

Mr. Bell appeared for the Government, and with him Mr. F. Johnston ; and Mr. Cave for Messrs. J, Brogden and Sons. Mr. Maxwell, Mr. Travers, and Mr. Blair appeared and gave evidence. In the cross-examination of the last-named witness by Mr. Cave, Mr. Bell objected to a question that Mr. Cave put to the witness, on the ground that it was going into details and opening up fresh matter. All strangers having withdrawn, the Committee deliberated. The doors being again opened, the Chairman said that he understood the inquiry was to show in the first instance whether the Messrs. Brogden had been paid in full on the certificate of the Engineers, and whether they had been allowed their percentage on works omitted under authority. The cross-examination of the witness was then continued and closed, and Mr. Cave began his final address, when, at 1.15 p.m., the Committee adjourned until Friday, the 28th instant, at 10.30 a.m.

Feiday, 28th July, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Hon. Mr. W. W. Johnston, Mr. Maeandrew, Hon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Oliver, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Stevens (Chairman). The minutes of the last two meetings were read and confirmed. Mr. Bell, and with him Mr. F. Johnston, appeared for the Crown, and Mr. Cave for the Messrs. Brogden. Mr. Cave continued and concluded his final address, at the conclusion of which the Committee adjourned until Monday, the 7th August.

Wednesday, 9th August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Sir J. Hall, Mr. Maeandrew, Hon. Mr. McLean, Hon. Mr. Miller, Hon. Mr. Oliver, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Stevens (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Lawson, asking for printed copies of the evidence for the use of Messrs. J. Brogden and Sons, in England. Resolved, That Mr. Lawson's application that copies of the printed evidence in the case be given to him or sent to Messrs. Brogden and Sons, in London, before the Committee reports, be answered to the effect that the Committee is of opinion that the evidence in the case should not issue before the report. The Committee then deliberated, and adjourned until Monday, the 14th instant, at 10.30 a.m.

Monday, 14th August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. "W. W. Johnston, Mr. Maeandrew, Hon. Mr. McLean, Hon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Oliver, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Stevens (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, That Mr. W. Eeeves be communicated with by the Chairman on the subject of " The Government Contractors Arbitration Act, 1872." Resolved, That the Hon. Mr. Eichardson be telegraphed to, asking him if he can explain the circumstances under which the Oamaru-Moeraki Eailway Contract was taken over from Messrs. Brogden and Sons, and whether penalties were deducted for non-completion of contract when the delays in carrying out such contract were caused by the action of the Government. That the Engineer in charge of the Oamaru-Moeraki Eailway Contract be telegraphed to, asking him the same question as the above put to Hon. Mr. Eichardson. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow, the 15th instant, at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, 15th August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. W. W. Johnston, Mr. Maeandrew, Hon. Mr. McLean, Hon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Oliver, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Stevens (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read a telegram from Mr. Reeves in answer to that sent him yesterday. The Committee deliberated on the evidence in the ease. Resolved, That if Mr. Lowe's reply to the Chairman seem to make it advisable, Mr. Lowe be sent for to give evidence. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday, the 17th instant, at 11 a.m.

Thuksday, 17th August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. W. W. Johnston, Mr. Maeandrew, Hon. Mr. McLean, Hon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Stevens (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read telegrams from Mr. Lowe and the Hon. Mr. Eichardson, in reply to those sent on the 14th instant.