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MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS.

Thuesday, 19th July, 1888. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present : Hon. the Speaker, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. Walker. The order of reference of the 18th July was read by the Clerk. Besolved, That Sir Maurice O'Eorke be appointed Chairman of the Committee. Besolved, That Major Campbell and the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson be summoned to attend the next meeting of the Committee. Besolved, That the Committee adjourn till 11 a.m. on Monday, the 23rd July instant.

Monday, 23ed July, 1888. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. the Speaker (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Samuel, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. Walker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Major Campbell and the Hon. Mr. Mitchelson attended and gave evidence, which was taken down in shorthand. The Committee adjourned till Wednesday, the 25th July, at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, 25th July, 1888. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. the Speaker (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. Walker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Moved by Mr. W. D. Stewart, That it was an infringement of the privileges of the House to present to it, "by command," copy of a letter from J. E. Macdonald, Esq., Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, in reference to, and containing comments on, certain statements made by Mr. Hamlin as a member of the House. The Hon. Mr. Hislop submitted an alternative draft report. A discussion on the subject of the inquiry then ensued. Besolved, That the Committee adjourn till next Wednesday, the Ist August, and that Mr. Walker apply for an extension of the time allowed the Committee to bring up its report. The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday, Ist August, 1888. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. the Speaker (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Seymour, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. Walker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The order of reference, dated the 25th July, extending the time allowed the Committee to bring up its report, was also read. Moved by Mr. W. D. Stewart, That it was an infringement of the privileges of the House to present to it, " by command," copy of a letter from J. E. Macdonald, Esq., Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, in reference to, and containing comments on, certain statements made by Mr. Hamlin as a member of the House. And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 3.—Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. Walker. Noes, 4. —Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Samuel. The motion was therefore negatived. Proposed by the Chairman, That the following be adopted as the report of the Committee :— The Committee appointed on the 18th July to search for precedents in reference to placing, " by command," on the table of the House a letter written by the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, addressed to the Native Minister and commenting on words uttered by a member of the House in debate, have the honour to report:—■