T 7 a

5

Permission being granted, Thomas Barmby was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Thomas Clarke Jenkins (called by Mr. Menteath) was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr Menteath stated he had another witness to call, but he was not present to-day. Resolved, That the witness might attend to-morrow and give evidence, and that Mr. Beid proceed with any evidence he may wish to offer. Mr. Eeid called, Horatio John Hooper Blow who was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by B lifter "the witnesses withdrew, Resolved, on the motion of Mr. G. Hutchison, That the Clerk apply to Messrs. E. W. Mills and Co. for any invoices of goods supplied to Messrs. Briscoe, MacNeil, and Co. as under (since January, 1895) : Asbestos tape ; shackles (with weights;. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Wednesday, 28th August, 1895. Present: Mr. Guinness (Chairman), Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Lang, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Tanner. Mr. Guinness again took the chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Clerk mentioned that Messrs. E. W. Mills and Co. wrote forwarding particulars of shackles supplied by them to Messrs. Briscoe, MacNeil, and Co., but they stated that they had not supplied any asbestos tape. Resolved, That the Clerk apply to the United Asbestos Company for the particulars as to " Messrs. Blow, Beid, Wilson, Skerrett, MacNeil, Gellatly, Bridson, Menteath, Jenkins, and Bobert Wallace (ironmonger, care of Stewart and Co.) attended the Committee. Mr. Bobert Wallace, called by Mr. Menteath and sworn, made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Menteath announced that this would close his case. Mr L Beid then called Mr. Blow, who continued his statement. Mr. Skerrett asked that he be allowed to postpone any cross-examination until he had an opportunity of examining the vouchers put in by Mr. Blow. Agreed to Mr. Beid then called John Alexander Wilson, Eesident Engineer for the Wellington District, who was sworn and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter Mr. Beid asked that Mr. E. G. Knight, sailmaker, be summoned to attend. On the motion ot Mr. McGowan, Resolved, That a summons be issued to Mr. Knight. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Fbiday, 30th August, 1895. Present: Mr. Lang, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Saunders (Chairman), Hon. Sir E. Stout. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The following attended: Messrs Blow, Eeid, Skerrett, MacNeil, Bridson, Gellatly, Menteath, Eichard Hudson (of Eichard Hudson and Co., Dunedin), and Thomas Brown (of Brown, Ewmg, and Co., Dunedin). Mr Hudson was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Thomas Brown was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. The Committee then adjourned until Tuesday next at 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Thuesdat, sth September, 1895. Present: Mr. Guinness, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Lang, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Saunders (Chairman), Hon. Sir E. Stout, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. \ letter from Mr Skerrett, asking, if possible, if the Committee would sit more continuously. After discussion, Resolved, That the Chairman move for leave to sit during the afternoon. The following were present: Messrs. Blow, Eeid, Wilson, Menteath, Skerrett, MacNeil, Gellatly Bridson, E. G. Knight (sailmaker), Captain A. 0. Turner (road surveyor, Wellington Provincial District), and Mr. G. E. H. Ibbetson (draughtsman, Survey Department). Mr Wilson concluded his statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Captain Turner was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr Ibbetson was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. During Mr. Wilson's examination Mr. Menteath desired to cross-examine Mr. Wilson on items not included in Messrs. Briscoe, MacNeil, and Co.'s contract. After discussion, Resolved, That for the present Mr. Menteath must confine his examination to the items included in the contract. - . ■ ' . , . ~ , Mr G Hutchison gave notice to move at the next meeting, lhat the inquiry into tne performance by Messrs. Briscoe, MacNeil, and Co. of their contract with the Government be not restricted to exclude evidence as to the supply of cement by Messrs. Briscoe, MacNeil, and Co., though not in their contract, but suggested by Mr. Menteath as ordered and paid for at a price m excess of the schedule rate by the contractor for cement. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock a.m.