L—sa

IV

The Hon. Mr. McKenzie made a statement with regard to the above correspondence, and left the room, as he did not wish to be present at the inquiry, unless when required by the Committee. Mr. Hall moved, That all the witnesses in the case be allowed to be present. Mr. Mackintosh proposed, as an amendment, That no witnesses be allowed to be present while the evidence is being taken, with the exception of Mr. J. Scobie Mackenzie and the witness under inquiry ; Mr. J. Scobie Mackenzie to be represented by counsel if he so desire. On the question being put, That Mr. Mackintosh's amendment be agreed to, the Committee divided and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 4.—Mr. Green, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Mills. Noes, 2.—Mr. Duncan, Mr. Hall. So the amendment was resolved in the affirmative. The Surveyor-General, Mr. Percy Smith, was present, and was examined on oath; his evidence being taken down by a reporter. The Hon. Sir Eobert Stout moved, That Mr. John Douglas, Mount Eoyal, Palmerston South, be summoned to attend the inquiry, by telegram from the Clerk. The meeting then adjourned until Wednesday, sth September, at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, sth September, 1894. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Green, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hogg, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Mills, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Mr. Mackintosh. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr. J. Green, requesting the Chairman " to procure for the information of the Committee the names of the purchasers in the Pomahaka Estate ; and that Mr. John Douglas be instructed to bring up with him all correspondence in connection with the affair that passed between himself and any other person." Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir Eobert Stout, That Mr. John Douglas be asked to bring with him all correspondence in connection with the Pomahaka purchase, say, during the past twelve months. Dr. Fitchett was again present on behalf of the department, as also Mr. M. J. Scobie Mackenzie. The Surveyor-General, Mr. Percy Smith, was then further examined, his evidence being taken down by a reporter. Mr. Maitland, Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin, then gave his evidence on oath. After which the Committee adjourned until Thursday, 6th September, at 11 a.m.

Thursday, 6th September, 1894. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Green, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hogg, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Mills. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. Fitchett and Mr. M. J. Scobie Mackenzie were both in attendance. Mr. C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor, Dunedin, was presenf, and examined on oath. Mr. William Dallas, Balclutha, was also present, and examined on oath. The Committee then adjourned tiM Friday, 7th September, at 11 a.m.

Friday, 7th September, 1894. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Green, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Meredith. There being so few members present, owing to the late sitting of the previous evening, and the general desire being that there should be a full attendance during the Pomahaka Estate Purchase Inquiry, the Committee adjourned till 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 11th September.

Tuesday, 11th September, 1894. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Green, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hogg, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Mills; also Dr. Fitchett and Mr. M. J. Scobie Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. C. H. Mills, seconded by Mr. T. Mackenzie, That a telegram be sent to the editor of the Otago Daily Times, requesting him to name any witnesses re Pomahaka Inquiry, alluded to in his sub-leader of the Bth instant, which the Committee might summon, to (as he says) " tell the real story." Besolved, That the following be summoned by telegram to give evidence before the Committee : Mr. Hansen Turton, District Land Eegistrar, Dunedin; Mr. A. C. Begg, commission agent, Dunedin; a member of the firm of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., auctioneers, Dunedin; Mr. William Turnbull, land agent, Clinton ; Mr. William Stevenson Tuturau; Mr. Donald 'MacDonald, manager, Edendale; Mr. Hugh Cameron, farmer, Waitahuna. Mr. William Dallas was then further examined on oath. Mr. A. Barron, Under-Secretary for Lands and Survey, then gave his evidence on oath. After which the Committee adjourned until Wednesday, 12th September, at 11 a.m.