I.—ll

III

On the motion of Mr. Cowan, Resolved, That the Chairman ascertain for Committee by whose recommendation Mr. Bwen Alison was appointed Eeviewer, and what other persons were recommended at the same time, and by whom. The Committee adjourned till Friday, the 2nd July, at 12 o'clock.

Fkiday, 2nd July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported the receipt and despatch of telegrams from and to the following persons : From Mr. Seaman and Mr. Brewer; to Mr. Seaman, Mr. Brewer, and Mr. Ewen Alison— which were read to the Committee. Memorandum from Mr. Sperrey, dated the 2nd July, also read. On the motion of Dr. Newman, Resolved, That the whole of the papers before the Committee be printed for their information. On the motion of Mr. Peacock, Resolved, That Mr. S. Vaile be requested to be in attendance at the next meeting of the Committee. On the motion of Dr. Newman, Resolved, That the department be requested to supply any further papers they may have in connection with this inquiry. The Committee adjourned till Tuesday, the 6th July, at 12 o'clock.

Tuesday, 6th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Peacock. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported and read the following correspondence : Telegram from Mr. Brewer to the Chairman ; from the Under-Secretary, Public Works, to Mr. Brewer; from Mr. Brewer to the Under-Secretary, Public Works; from the Chairman to Mr. John Eoss; letter from the Chairman to the Hon. Mr. Ballance, with memoranda from the Hon. Mr. Ballance and the Hon. Mr. Eichardson; telegram from Mr. Eoss to the Chairman, from Mr. Wilkinson to the Chairman, from the Chairman to Mr. Wilkinson; letter from the Hon. Mr. Eichardson to the Chairman; copy of telegram from the Hon. Mr. Eichardson to the Hon. Mr. Ballance, dated "Auckland, 7th January, 1886;" extract from telegram from the Hon. Mr. Ballance to the Hon. Mr. Eichardson, dated the 7th January, 1886; telegram from Mr. Seaman to the Chairman. Mr. S. Vaile attended, and was examined. The Committee adjourned.

Fkiday, 9th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Gore, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr. Dargaville, Resolved, That Mr. Seaman's evidence be taken on Monday. The Committee adjourned till Monday, the 12th July, at 11 o'clock.

Monday, 12th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Gore, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Thomas Seaman attended, and was examined. The Committee adjourned till Tuesday, the 13th July, at 11 o'clock.

Tuesday, 13th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present : Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Seaman was present, and, having been examined, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. Ewen Alison was present, and, in the course of his examination, requested the Committee to name the authority for certain statements quoted to him. The Committee requested the witness to retire, in order to consider the question. On the motion of the Hon. Major Atkinson, Resolved, That the name of the authority for the statements be given to Mr. Alison. The Committee adjourned till Wednesday, the 14th July, at 11 o'clock.