1.—7

1890. NEW ZEALAND.

ACCUSATIONS BY MEMBER FOR WAITOTARA COMMITTEE.

Report brought up sth Atigust, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF RPFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Feiday, the 11th Day of July, 1890. Ordered, "That a Select Committee be appointed to ascertain whether all or any of the accusations against the Government, and especially against certain members thereof, made by Mr. Hutchison, member for Waitotara, in his speech in the House on Wednesday, the 2nd instant, are in substance true or false, and to report their opinion thereon ; with power to call for persons and papers, and to report within fourteen days ; five to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Hon. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Mr. Bryce, Dr. Fitchett, Mr. Withy, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Macarthur, Mr. Ormond, and Mr. Seddon."—(Hon. Mr. Mitchelsou.)

Thubsday, the 24th Day of July, 1890. Ordered, " That the Accusations by the Member for Waitotara Committee have leave to postpone bringing up their report for fourteen days."—(Mr. Withy.)

Tuesday, the sth Day of August, 1890. Resolved, " That this House concurs in the request made to it to relieve the Accusations by the Member for Waitotara Committee from its duties, and orders the discharge of witnesses from attendance."—(Mr. Withy.)

INTEEIM EEPOET. Youe Committee has the honour to report to the House that a difficulty has arisen in the conduct of its inquiry, resulting from the refusal of the Bank of New Zealand to produce a certain portion of the books and documents requisitioned for. This portion contains the private accounts of certain members of the Ministry. Appended to this report will be found fully set forth the original requisition made upon the bank, together with subsequent reductions thereof; and communications between the Chairman of the Committee, the president of the Bank of New Zealand, and Mr. John Murray, who is present in Wellington, in order to represent the bank. Edward Withy, 31st July, 1890. Chairman.

APPENDIX TO INTEEIM EEPOET. Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E., to Mr. J. Muebay, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 15th, July, 1890. You are required to give evidence as soon as possible before the Committee of the House of Eepresentatives appointed to inquire into the accusations made by Mr. Hutchison against members of the Government. You are also required to produce the following books and papers. You are requested to inform me the earliest date you can be in Wellington with the information required. 1. (a.) The books of the bank containing the original and all other entries of the current accounts, and the balances as carried forward of the several transactions and dealings prior to the Ist day of July, 1890, opened or kept and being in the name or names of any one or more of the members of the present Ministry, namely— Sir Frederick Whitaker, Sir Harry Albert Atkinson, The Hon. Edwin Mitchelson, ■ —whether jointly or severally, or in conjunction with any other person or persons, or corporation or corporations, and whether on their own account or as surety or guarantee for any person or persons, corporation or corporations ; and (b.) The books of the bank containing the original and all other entries of all securities, mortgages, bonds, bills, or notes given or lodged by the said members of the Ministry, or any of them, in connection with the account or liability of any other person or persons, corporation or I—l. 7.