1.—6

And the question being put, " That the word ' ten ' be retained," a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 4. —Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, 6.—Mr. Graham, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. So it passed in the negative. The question being then put, " That the word ' five ' be inserted in lieu of ' ten,' " a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 6. —Mr. Graham, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 4—Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. Montgomery moved, That the word "motion" be struck out, with a view of inserting the word " question." And the question being put, "That the word ' motion' be retained," a division was called for, and the names taken down as follow :— Ayes, 5.- —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, s.—Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. And the votes being equal, the Chairman gave his casting-vote with the " Ayes." So it was resolved in the affirmative. Words retained. Mr. Montgomery moved, That the words " or amendment " be added. And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 6. —Mr. Graham, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 4.— Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. Guinness moved to add to the motion, " Provided that this rule shall not come into force till reported to the House." And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 6.—Mr. Guinness, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, 4.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. Steward, Mr. Tanner. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. Montgomery moved to add, " and that the Chairman be requested to report this resolution to the House this afternoon." Hon. Mr. Seddon moved to insert, after the word "resolution," the words "together with the Committee's proceedings relating thereto." And the question as amended being put, it was resolved in the affirmative. The question was then put, "That the motion as amended be agreed to," and a division being called for, the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 6.—Mr. Graham, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 4.—Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Maslin, That the sub-committee set up to advise what evidence should be procured for the Banking Committee be dissolved. The consideration of the report of the sub-committee was further proceeded with. Section 3 : Mr. G. Hutchison moved to insert on the subpoena to the liquidators of the Colonial Bank the following requisition, struck out by the Evidence Committee, after subsection (3) : — (4.) The original books of account, reports of bank inspectors, managers, and agents, presscopy letters, original letters and telegrams as received, and all other documents, papers, and writings dealing with or relating to the accounts and affairs of the J. G. Ward Farmers' Association (Limited), and of (since January, 1892) the Hon. Joseph George Ward, including (among other documents comprised in the foregoing requisition) — (a) the original cable (or telegram) as delivered from the telegraph-office on or about the 28th June, 1895, and referred to in the evidence of William Brown Vigers before the Supreme Court on the sth June, 1896 ; (b) all other cables (or telegrams) as delivered, and all original letters from London or elsewhere on the same subject; (c) the code in use by the bank at the time of the receipt of such cables (or telegrams) ; (d) the draft or bill of exchange for £20,000 drawn by the manager of the J. G. Ward Farmers' Association on or about the 29th June, 1895 ; (c) the warrants given in respect to or in connection with such draft or bill of exchange; (/) the draft for £16,000 afterwards drawn by the Hon. J. G. Ward; (g) the scrip or shares lodged therewith; and (h) the promissory note for £55,230 (or thereabouts) given by the Hon. J. G. Ward on or about the 19th October, 1895. And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 3. —Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. Noes, 7.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner.

XXIV