1.-8

2

After a long discussion that the order of reference did not fully set forth what the Committee was empowered to do, — Mr. Reeves moved, That the order of reference is insufficient, inasmuch as there is no direction to the Committee to report the result of their investigation. Hon. Mr. Hislop moved, That the question be amended by the omission of all the words after the word "That," and the insertion of the following words in lieu thereof: " the Committee now proceed to compare the manuscript, proofs, and Hansard reports, and to call necessary witnesses, and that any further powers be thereafter asked for from the House." And the question being put, That the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 3.—Mr. Reeves, Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Moss. Noes, 4.—Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Lawry, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. Saunders. So it passed in the negative. And the question being put, That the words proposed by the Hon. Mr. Hislop to be inserted, in lieu of the words struck out, be so inserted, — Mr. O'Conor moved, That the words proposed to be inserted be amended by the omission of all the words after " witnesses," and the insertion-of the following words in lieu thereof : " the Chairman be requested to apply to the House for further instructions." And the question being put, That .the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 2.—Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Lawry. Noes, 5. —Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Moss, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. Reeves, Mr. Saunders. So it passed in the negative. And the question being proposed, That the words proposed by Mr. O'Conor to be inserted be so inserted, — Mr. Reeves moved, That the words proposed to be inserted be amended by the-addition of the following words : "directing the Committee to report the evidence, documentary or other, which may be taken or produced before it." And the question being put, That the words proposed to be added be so added, it was resolved in the affirmative. And the question being put, That the words proposed to be inserted as amended be so inserted, the Committee divided, and. the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 5. —Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Moss, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. Reeves, Mr. Saunders. Noes, 2.—Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Lawry. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Resolved, That the Committee now proceed to compare the manuscript, proofs, and Hansard reports, and to call necessary witnesses, and that the Chairman be requested to apply to the House for further instructions directing the Committee to report the evidence, documentary or other, which may be taken or produced before it. Mr. Barron, Chief Reporter, Hansard staff, was now called in. In answer to the Chairman, he stated he had received a letter from the Clerk of the Reporting Debates Committee asking him to attend and bring with him the transcript proofs and revises of Mr. Hutchison's speech of the 2nd July, 1890. He now produced and handed to the Chairman the transcript proofs and revises of Mr. Hutchison's speech of the 2nd July, 1890. He believed the proof to be the first proof, but the printer would be better able to say. The transcript bore some alterations. The Committee then proceeded to examine the proofs, but were soon interrupted by the 1 o'clock adjournment. On the motion of Mr. Reeves, it Was resolved, That the transcript proofs and revises be handed to Mr. Barron for safe custody. On the motion of Mr. O'Conor, it was resolved, That the Chairman be instructed to engage a clerk to write a copy of the transcript report of Mr. Hutchison's speech, showing erasures, alterations, and additions made thereto in red ink. On the motion of Mr. O'Conor, it was resolved, That the Committee stand adjourned till tomorrow (Friday), the 15th instant, at 11 a.m.

Fkiday, 15th August, 1890. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Feldwick, Hon. Mr. Hislop, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Moss, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. Reeves, Mr. Saunders. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, but, owing to an omission, the confirming was postponed to the next meeting. Mr. Barron, Chief Reporter, Hansard staff, was in attendance, and produced the transcript proofs and revises of Mr. Hutchison's speech of the 2nd July, 1890. The Committee then proceeded with the examination of the proofs and revises, and completed the same. The Clerk then handed the Chairman that portion of the speech which had been copied from the transcript, showing alterations and additions in red ink, stating that, as the speech was a long one, he had found it impossible to finish it, but the balance would be ready by the next meeting. The Committee then examined the transcript copy so far as made. On the motion of Mr. Feldwick, it was resolved that the bringing up of the report of resolution, agreed to on the 14th instant, to the House be deferred.