I.—sa

V

Wednesday, 12th 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. Mills, Hon. Sir E. Stout; also Dr. Fitchett and Mr. M. J. S. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. A. Barron was then further examined on oath. Mr. J. D. Eitchie, of the Stock Department, was sworn, but not examined, as The Committee then adjourned until 10.30 a.m., Thursday, the 13th instant.

Thursday, 13th 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, Hon. Sir E. Stout; also Dr. Fitchett and Mr. M. J. S. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A telegram was read from Mr. George Fenwick, editor of the Otago Daily Times, in reply to the telegram from the Committee, of Tuesday, 12th inst. Mr. J. D. Eitchie, of the Stock Department, was then examined on oath. Mr. John Douglas, Mount Eoyal, Palmerston South, was then examined on oath, which evidence was interrupted by the Committee adjourning till 11 a.m. on Friday, the 14th instant.

Friday, 14th 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. Mills; also Dr. Fitchett and Mr. M. J. Scobie Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. -Telegrams from and to Messrs. J. A. Johnstone, George Fenwick (the editor of the Otago Daily Times), and others, were read by the Clerk. Besolved, That a telegram be sent to Mr. J. A. Johnstone, requesting him to bring with him to Wellington all books and papers showing the financial transactions between his firm and Mr. Douglas in connection with Pomahaka Estate. Before Mr Douglas's examination was resumed, at the request of Mr. Scobie Mackenzie, Mr. A. Barron, Under-Secretary for Lands and Survey, was recalled, and further examined by Mr. Scobie Mackenzie. Mr. John Douglas was then further examined on oath. The Committee, through the Chairman, decided to issue a summons to compel Mr. J. A. Johnstone, of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., auctioneers, Dunedin, to attend, to give evidence on oath before them. After which the Committee adjourned until Tuesday, 18th September, at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 18th September, 1894. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Mills, Hon. Sir Stout; also Dr. Fitchett and Mr. Scobie Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk read several telegrams in reference to the above inquiry. The further examination of Mr. John Douglas was postponed, to allow the following witnesses to give their evidence, so that they might return to Dunedin by the first steamer. Mr. J. A. Johnstone, of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., auctioners, Dunedin, wras examined on oath. Mr. J. D. Eitchie, of the Stock Department, at the request of Mr. Scobie Mackenzie, was recalled, on the question of a telegram alleged to have passed betweon him, Mr. Eitchie, and Mr. Johnstone, of Messrs. Wright, Stephenson and Co., Dunedin. Mr. A. C. Begg, general manager for Messrs. Eobert Campbell and Sons (Limited), Dunedin, was after this examined on oath. The Committee then adjourned until Wednesday, the 19th September, at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, 19th September, 1894. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Green, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Mills, Hon. Sir E. Stout; also Dr. Fitchett and Mr. Scobie Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Hanson Turtou, District Land Eogistrar, Dunedin, was examined on oath. Mr. Hugh Cameron, President of the Waitahuna Farmers' Club, then gave his evidence on oath. Mr. John Douglas was then further examined on oath. Besolved, That a telegram be sent to Mr. Alexander Brown, Abbotsford, asking, " Can you state whether any offer was made by you between 1870 and 1880 to Mr. Douglas for purchase of