L—7b.

Interest, &c. The Hon. Sir R. Stout moved the motion of which he had given notice. Besolved, On motion of Mr. Guinness, to strike out the word "discussed," and insert "considered." The Hon. Mr. Seddon moved by way of amendment to the Hon. Sir R. Stout's proposal, To strike out the word " following," and after the word " Treasury" to insert " and which is included in the printed evidence." Upon the amendment being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow:— Ayes, 6.—-Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner, Mr. T. Thompson, Hon. Mr. Ward. Noes, s.—Mr. G. Hutchison, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Hon. Sir R. Stout. So it passed in the affirmative. Words inserted. The Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, To add at the end of the paragraph the words, " And it has been proved to the satisfaction of the Committee that owing to the new system inaugurated last year by the Treasury in connection with the ' drawing bonds,' there has been at least £180,000 less available during the year for the use of the Government." Upon the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow:— Ayes, 7.—Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner, Mr. T. Thompson, Hon. Mr. Ward. Noes, 4. —Mr. G. Hutchison, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Dr. Newman, Hon. Sir R. Stout. So it passed in the affirmative. Words added. The Hon. Sir R. Stout moved, To add to the end of the paragraph the words, " though that sum would have had to have been refunded before the end of the year." Upon the question being put that the words proposed to be added be so added, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 5. —Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Hon. Sir R. Stout. Noes, 6.—Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner, Mr. T. Thompson, Hon. Mr. Ward. So it passed in the negative. Words not added. The Hon. Mr. Seddon moved to strike out the printed statement of increase or decrease of (a) interest, &c. Upon the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 7. —Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. Larnach, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner, Mr. T. Thompson, Hon. Mr. Ward. Noes, 4.—Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Hon. Sir R. Stout. So it passed in the affirmative. Statement struck out. The resolution as amended was then put, and it passed in the affirmative. The report as amended was then put as a whole, and it passed in the affirmative. Besolved, That the Chairman do present the report to the House, and move that it be printed, together with the documents mentioned in the Hon. Mr. Ward's resolution. The Committee then adjourned.

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