I.—6b

4

Wednesday, 16th August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir B. Stout, Mr. Wright. Upon the minutes being read it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. G. Hutchison, to strike out the word " alleged " in the fourth paragraph under the heading of the Public Works Statement, 1892. The Hon. Mr. Seddon then moved to strike out the word " alteration " and put in lieu thereof the word " correction " in the same fourth paragraph. 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. Saunders, Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, 3 : Mr. G. Hutchison, Dr. Newman, Mr. Wright. The votes being equal, the Chairman voted with the Ayes. Motion agreed to. The minutes were further amended, as shown on the opposite page to that on which they were originally written. (Note. —Minutes as amended are shown under date 15th August, 1893.) Minutes, as amended, confirmed. Order of Beference of the 15th August read by the Clerk. Mr. Blow attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. S. Costall, Government Printer, attended and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Wright, That the following witnesses be asked to attend to-morrow : Messrs. Costall, Burns, and Clapham. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Guinness, That the Committee adjourn until to-morrow at 10.30 o'clock.

Thursday, 17th August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir B. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Wright. As Mr. Shera was not present at the commencement of the meeting, Mr. Guinness, on the motion of Sir E. Stout, took the chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. S. Costall, Government Printer, attended, and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Shera, at this stage of the meeting, having arrived, took the chair. Mr. James Burns, Overseer, Government Printing Office, and Mr. Geo. J. Clapham, Accountant, Public Works Department, attended and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Besolved, on the motion of Dr. Newman, That the Committee adjourn until to-morrow, at 11 o'clock. The Committee then adjourned.

Feiday, 18th August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir. J. Hall, Dr. Newman, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir B. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward, Mr. Wright. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. S. Costall attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday next.

Tuesday, 22nd August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. J. Mills, Dr. Newman, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir B. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward, Mr. Wright. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The Hon. Mr. Seddon made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

Wednesday, 23kd August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. J. Mills, Dr. Newman, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir B. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Wright. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Seddon made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Besolved, on the motion of Dr. Newman, that the Under Secretary, Public Works Department, be asked to supply the Committee with a copy of the " summary " from the monthly statement supplied to the Hon. the Minister for Public Works, month by month, for the year 1891-92, up to and including the 31st March, 1892. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Guinness, " That a Committee, consisting of the Hon. Sir E. Stout, the Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. Tanner, Dr. Newman, and the Chairman, be appointed to draw up a draft report; three to be a quorum.