I.—6b

3

After some discussion, the Hon. Sir J. Hall asked leave to withdraw the motion, and substitute the following in lieu thereof: "That the Committee proceed, on a date that maybe convenient to the Premier, to inquire into the facts bearing on the allegation made in the amounts stated in the Public Works Statement of last year, after it was laid on the table of the House." The Hon. Sir E. Stout moved, by way of amendment, "That as the alteration of a Public Works Statement is not a question of public accounts, this Committee has no power to consider it, unless it is referred to the Committee by the House." Upon the amendment being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follows:— Ayes, 4: Mr. Guinness, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Hon. Mr. Ward. Noes, 4: Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Dr. Newman, Mr. Tanner. The votes being equal, the Chairman gave his vote with the Ayes. Motion lost. Upon the amendment being put, as the substantive motion, it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. G. Hutchison moved, That the resolution just agreed to be reported to the House. Upon the question being put, a division was called for and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 3: Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Dr. Newman. Noes, 5: Mr. Guinness, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward. Motion negatived. On motion of the Hon. Sir E. Stout the Committee adjourned sine die.

Tuesday, Bth August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. G. Hutchison, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir B. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Wright. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, That this question, referred to the Committee, be considered on Thursday next, and that Mr. Blow be asked to attend. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday next.

Thursday, 10th August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Wright. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Committee took up the consideration of this matter. The Hon. Mr. Bolleston and Mr. George Friend, Clerk of the House of Bepresentatives, attended and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. The further consideration of the matter was adjourned until to-morrow, at 11 o'clock. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow, at 11 o'clock.

Tuesday, 15th August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir E. Stout, and Mr. Wright. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Order of Beference of the 10th August read by the Clerk. Mr. Blow, Under-Secretary of Public Works Department, attended and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. S. Costall, Government Printer, was also in attendance. During the examination of Mr. Blow, Mr. G. Hutchison asked that the whole of the draft manuscript of the Public Works Statement, 1892, be produced. The Premier having objected to produce the whole, consented to produce that portion of the original manuscript of the Public Works Statement, 1892, headed " Conclusion," in which the correction of the figures had been made. After discussion, Mr. Blow and the reporter were readmitted. Mr. G. Hutchison asked what part of the Statement would be produced, and the Hon. the Premier consented to the manuscript of the " Conclusion " of the Statement being produced. Produced accordingly. Mr. G. Hutchison afterwards asked for the production of the manuscript of the Public Works Statement, 1892," as presented on page " One " of the Becord copy of the House, because it was associated with the concluding part. The question being objected to as irrelevant, Mr. G. Hutchison, nevertheless called for the production of the document, which being again objected to as irrelevant, the Chairman ruled that the question was irrelevant. The witness then continued his evidence. The further consideration of the question was adjourned until to-morrow. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock.