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Murray) to those transactions of Ministers since Ist June, 1885, subject to the production of those books which may deal with matters prior to that date if such a step should at some subsequent stage of the inquiry appear desirable. I regret I am unable to limit the time further at present, or to say that dealings with companies or partnerships can be excluded, although, I beg to assure you, it will be my endeavour to avoid everything that might cause concern to any one outside the Ministry. G. Hutchison.

Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E., to Mr. J. Mueeay, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 17th July, 1890. The requisition may be limited for the present, so far as transactions of Ministers, severally or in conjunction with partners or corporations, with the bank are concerned, to those since Ist June, 1885. Edwabd Withy, Chairman of Committee.

Mr. J. Mueeay to Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E. (Telegram.) Auckland, 18th July, 1890. Beceived your telegram of 17th. Bank people are busy looking out the books and documents required; but they tell me it will require at least a fortnight, probably month, to comply with requisition, the extent and scope of which I venture to think Committee cannot have realised in requiring me to produce these documents. It would appear as if Committee think lam an officer of bank; if so, they are mistaken. I can only request bank to furnish them, and can in no way hold myself responsible for their being furnished in full compliance with Committee's requirement. Further, as I have been away from executive duty in bank for nearly two years, part of the time in England, and as previously I had only a very general knowledge of the accounts of persons named, lam not able to say much about them. If Committee consider this position unsatisfactory I would respectfully suggest that they make requisition to president of bank to cause the books and documents specified in requisition to me to be produced before Committee, accompanied by a bank official competent to speak in regard to them. Please understand that I am not suggesting substitute for myself. lam at Committee's service to give such evidence as lam competent to give. I presume I may understand I need not proceed to Wellington till accompanied by the books and documents required. John Mueeay.

Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E., to Mr. W. H. Colbeck, President, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 18th July, 1890. Eepeeeing to requisition for books and documents telegraphed to Mr. John Murray, Committee requests that you will order the production of everything therein asked for, and that you will send it the name of a bank official competent to speak in regard to them, in order that it may summon him to accompany Mr. Murray to Wellington. You will be good enough to understand that original documents, and not copies, are required. Edwabd Withy, Chairman of Committee.

Mr. W. H. Colbeck to Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E. (Telegram.) Auckland, 19th July, 1890. In reply to your telegram of the 18th, I have already ordered the production of everything asked for in your telegrams to Mr. Murray of the 15th and 17th instant, and have telegraphed to our branches to make careful search; collect what is required. The material when collected will be sent to Wellington in charge of Mr. Eichard Butler Bigg, Inspector's Accountant, an official competent to speak in regard to the matters under consideration of the Committee. W. H. Colbeck.

Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E., to E. B. Eigg, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st July, 1890. You are required to attend before the Accusations by Member for Waitotara Committee, with Mr. John Murray, and to explain books and documents mentioned in requisition to Mr. Murray. Edwabd Withy, Chairman of Committee.

Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E., to Mr. J. Mueeay. (Telegram.) Wellington, 21st July, 1890. Abe you now able to state when you can leave for Wellington with necessary documents ? Time is of considerable importance. Edward Withy, Chairman of Committee.

Mr. J. Mueeay to Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E. (Telegram.) Auckland, 21st July, 1890. Bank people inform me impossible yet to say when books, &c, will be ready. If Committee consider that bank cannot possibly part, for instance, with current account ledgers in daily use, of which at