I.—lo

IV

Tuesday, 20th July, 1886. Present: Mr. O'Oonor (Chairman), Mr. Barron, Mr. T. Thompson. A quorum not being present, the Committee adjourned.

Feiday, 23kd July, 1836. Present: Mr. Barron, Mr. Garrick, Hon. Sir E. Stout. A quorum not being present, the Committee adjourned.

Monday, 26th July, 1886. Present: Mr. O'Conor (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Barron, Mr. Brown, Mr. Garriek, Mr. T. Thompson. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The subject of travelling expenses of members of the General Assembly was discussed, and the Chairman was requested to prepare a draft report for consideration of the Committee. The Committee then adjourned until Wednesday, the 28th July, at 10 a.m.

Wednesday, 28th July, 1886. Present: Mr. O'Conor (Chairman), Mr. Banon, Mr. T. Thompson. A quorum not being present, the Committee adjourned until Thursday, the 29th July, at 10.30 a.m. Thubsday, 29th July, 1886. Present: Mr. O'Conor (Chairman), Mr. Barron, Mr. Brown, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Garrick, Mr. Levestam, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Mr. T. Thompson. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr. Garrick, Besolved, That the schedule showing travelling allowances of members of the General Assembly be printed. The subject of the report having been discussed, several members expressed a wish to supply suggestions. On the motion of the Hon. Sir E. Stout, Besolved, That the Committee do adjourn until Monday, the 2nd August, at 10 a.m. The Committee then adjourned.

Monday, 2nd August, 1886. Present: Mr. O'Conor (Chairman), Mr. Barron, Mr. Brown, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Garrick, Mr. Levestam, Mr. T. Thompson. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Draft alternative proposals for the report were considered in detail, and agreed to as amended by the Committee. Motion made, That the following clause be agree to : That the amount of honorarium should in no case exceed £150, and that members residing within a radius of ten miles from Wellington shall be entitled to receive not more than £50. The Committee divided. Ayes, i. —Mr. Barron, Mr. Brown, Mr. Garrick, Mr. T. Thompson. Noes, 1. —Mr. Levestam. So it was resolved in the affirmative. On the motion of Mr. Barron, Besolved, That the Chairman be requested to ascertain from the Treasury Department whether there are any officers in connection with the Legislature who are in receipt of salary in addition to pension; and, if so, to obtain a list of such officers, and the particulars of payments so received. Mr. Brown gave notice of the following motion : That any member who is in receipt of a pension should be subjected to a deduction of one-half the amount he is entitled to receive for his parliamentary duties. (Lapsed.) On the motion of Mr. Barron, Besolved, That the printed return 8.-16 form part of the report. On the motion of Mr. Garrick, Besolved,That further consideration of the proposed report and the items of Class I. of the estimates be postponed until to-morrow, and a specific notice be sent to members of the Committee requesting their attendance. The Committee then adjourned until Tuesday, the 3rd August, at half-past 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Tuesday, 3ed August, 1886. Present: Mr. O'Conor (Chairman), Mr. Barron, Mr. Brown, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. T. ThompsonMinutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The draft report having been further considered, the Committee confirmed the alternative proposals as amended, and the following additional resolution was agreed to—viz.: 13. Your Committee recommend that steps be taken during the recess to obtain the necessary information for the completion of the return relating to the procedure of Legislatures in other countries. Eeport, as amended, agreed to (vide report p. i.) Ordered, That the Chairman be instructed to report the resolutions as passed to the House. The Committee then adjourned.