I.—2a.

2

The following petition was r§ad and considered: No. 463, Ida Prince. Adjourned from the 4th instant. Mr. Salmon, senior clerk, Post Office, Blenheim, attended and gave evidence. Mr. Kirkcaldie attended and gave evidence. Mr. Hoggard, chief clerk, Post Office, Wellington, attended and gave evidence. Petitioner attended and gave evidence. Mr. H. Y. Gully attended and examined witnesses as counsel for Mr. and Mrs. Eose. Mr. Hutchison attended on petitioner's behalf. Dr. Fitchett, M.H.E., attended. The original letter, referred to in the petition, and other documents, were handed in as evidence.

Fbiday, 6th Septembee, 1889. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. T. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Mr. Bruce, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. No. 463, petition of Ida Prince, under consideration. Mr. Hutchison and Dr. Fitchett attended on petitioner's behalf. Mr. Gully attended as counsel for Mr. and Mrs. Eose. Petitioner attended and gave evidence. A letter (undated) from Miss Ida Prince to Mr. Salmon was handed in and read by the Clerk. Mr. Kirkcaldie attended and gave evidence. A letter from Mr. Salmon to Miss Ida Prince, dated the 26th February, 1889, was handed in and read by the Clerk. Mr. Salmon attended and gave evidence. A telegram from Miss Combs to Mr. Eose, dated the 23rd December, 1888, was handed in and read. A telegram from Mr. Salmon to Chief Clerk, Circulating Branch, Wellington Post Office, dated the 25th December, 1888, was handed in and read. Mr. Eose, Inspector of Post Offices, attended and gave evidence. Further consideration adjourned until Tuesday, the 10th, at 10 a.m.

Tuesday, 10th Septembee, 1889. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. T. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Joyce, and Mr. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, No. 463, petition of Ida Prince. Adjourned from Friday, the 6th instant. Mr. Hutchison attended. Mr. Gully attended. Sir G. Grey attended. Mr. Morris, second clerk, Wellington Post Office, attended and gave evidence. Mr. W. Gray, Secretary to the Post Office, attended and gave evidence. Mrs. Eose attended and gave evidence. A letter from Mr. Livingston to Mrs. Gordon, dated the 21st November, 1888, was put in as evidence. Two letters from Mr. Livingston to Mrs. Eose were put in as evidence and read, dated the 24th November, 1888, and 29th November, 1888. The Committee adjourned until 9 a.m. next day.

Wednesday, 11th Septembee, 1889. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. T. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Taylor, Mr, Ward. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. No. 463, petition of Ida Prince, adjourned from the 10th September. Mr. Hutchinson attended. Mr. Gully attended. Mrs. Eose attended and gave evidence. Mr. Warburton attended and gave evidence. Letter dated the 20th February, 1889, from Mr. Warburton to Mrs. Eose, put in as evidence. Miss Martha Alice Barber attended and gave evidence. Petitioner attended and gave evidence. Consideration adjourned.

Saturday, 14th Septembee, 1889 (9.30 a.m.). The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. T. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Bruce, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Grimmond, Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Taylor, Mr. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Petition No. 463, Ida Prince. [Adjourned from the 11th instant.]