5

I.—7

30th July, 1890. The following telegram was sent to the president of the Bank of New Zealand in Auckland : — "At what date will Mr. E. B. Eigg be ready to appear before the Accusations by Member for Waitotara Committee, with the required books and documents?" And on the 31st a reply was received as follows : — " In reply to your telegram of yesterday, Mr. John Murray, who is now in Wellington, has been requested to reply to your inquiry." Mr. John Murray replied, as requested by the president of the bank, in the following letter: — Mr. J. Murray to Mr. E. Withy, M.H.E. Sib,— Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, 31st July, 1890. The bank authorities in Auckland have asked me to reply to your inquiry when they will be prepared to produce the documents, &c, previously demanded. I have accordingly the honour to inform you that, as regards the operations of the Public Account, the bank has been prepared since Monday last to produce to the Committee all books, documents, and evidence in its possession; and that, as regards the private accounts of the persons named, all directors and officers of this bank being under an honourable pledge not to disclose the bank's affairs, or its relations with its customers, except on compulsion by a competent authority, we are precluded from giving the information demanded. If the Committee insist upon compliance with their demands, I would respectfully ask that the bank may be heard by counsel at the bar of the House of Eepresentatives. If it be asked why the Committee did not receive this explanation sooner, I would respectfully remind you that the president of the bank telegraphed to you last week that I had been requested to proceed to Wellington to explain the bank's position to the Committee, and that I intimated to you on Monday morning last my readiness to appear before you. 1 have, &c, E. Withy, Esq., M.H.E., Chairman. John Murray.

EEPOET. Youb Committee has the honour to report that it is of opinion that it cannot usefully proceed further in the inquiry committed to it, inasmuch as five of its members have expressed a desire to be discharged from further attendance. Your Committee therefore respectfully recommends that it be discharged or re-constituted. Edwaed Withy, sth August, 1890. Chairman.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Monday, 14th July, 1890. The Committee met at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. Withy, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Mr. Bryce, Dr. Fitchett, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Ormond, and Mr. Seddon. The order of reference constituting the Committee was read. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 15th Jxjly, 1890. The Committee met at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Withy, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Mr. Bryce, Dr. Fitehett, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Macarthur, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Seddon. The order of reference constituting the Committee was re-read. Besolved, On the motion of Sir John Hall, seconded by Mr. Macarthur, that Mr. Withy be elected Chairman of the Committee. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Hon. Sir H. A. Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Hislop, and Mr. Hutchison attended at the request of the Committee. A shorthand-reporter attended and took notes of the subsequent proceedings. Mr. Hutchison handed to the Committee a list of witnesses whom he desired to be summoned to give evidence before the Committee, and of books and documents which he desired to be produced. Mr. Hutchison handed to the Committee a copy of the following as the formulated charges which he desired to have investigated by the Committee : — 1. That, pending the raising of the two-million loan, extraordinary expedients for raising money on the public credit were resorted to by the Ministry, and that, among other expedients, at the end of the financial year, on the 31st March, 1888, upwards of three-quarters of a million