1.—6

XXV

So it passed in the negative. Section 3 agreed to. Sections 4 and 5 agreed to. Section 6 agreed to after striking out "Hon. Walter Johnson," "William Booth," " T. J. Macarthy," " W. S. Foster," and " Directors Colonial Bank and Bank of New Zealand." Section 7 agreed to. Section 8 agreed to after striking out " subpoenaed and requested," and inserting "required," line 1; and inserting the following clause at the end of subsections (1), (2), and (10) ; and also inserting, at the end of clause 2, " together with the dates of any such payment and amounts of any such accounts outstanding, and to produce all other books, documents, papers, and writings relating to the matters respectively above mentioned or included in the order of reference"; and also inserting, after the word " paid," subsection (3), line 1, the words " or agreed or promised to be paid." Section 9 agreed to. Section 10 : Agreed to add, " and to produce all other books, documents, papers, and writings relating to the matters respectively above mentioned, or included in the order of reference." And the question being put, " That the clause, as amended, be agreed to," a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 7. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 3. —Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Section 11 agreed to. Mr. G. Hutchison moved to have it recommitted. Negatived. Section 12 agreed to, and resolved to add same paragraph to sections 5 and 7. Section 13 agreed to ; to be added to No. 8. Section 11: Resolved, That it be also added to No. 8. Hon. Mr. Seddon gave notice to move, That the gentlemen who were directors of the Colonial Bank from Ist January, 1888, until the bank went into liquidation be subpoenaed to give evidence, and to produce all books, papers, &c. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee adjourn until 10.30 o'clock on Tuesday next, to resume the evidence of Mr. Booth. Mr. G. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, to insert " Monday," instead of " Tuesday." And the question being put, " That the word ' Tuesday,' be retained," a division was called for, and the names taken down as follow :— Ayes, 7. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 3.—'Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Committee adjourned accordingly.

Tuesday, 28th July, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. Before the minutes were confirmed, Mr. Tanner desired to have it recorded that he had voted in error in the division on section No. 10, sub-committee's report. The Chairman stated that the minutes being a record only of what had taken place, he had no power to grant the request; but, by consent of the Committee, Mr. Tanner's explanation might be recorded in to-day's proceedings. This being agreed to, the minutes were then confirmed. ' The Chairman made a statement as to the decision of the House on the report of the Committee presented last Friday. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee do now adjourn. The Chairman refused to allow any discussion on the motion. Mr. Montgomery desired to speak to a point of order in regard to certain words made use of to him by the Hon. Mr. Seddon at the last meeting. The Chairman stated it was now too late to refer to the matter, and declined to allow it to be discussed. Mr. Montgomery stated, under such circumstances, he would withdraw ; and withdrew accordingly. Mr. William Booth was called, and continued his statement, which was taken down by the reporter. At this stage of the proceedings strangers withdrew, and the Committee deliberated. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, That witnesses not under examination be requested to withdraw. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. G. Hutchison, That Mr. John Murray be cabled to to attend; that a formal notice be posted to him, and that he be asked to let the Committee know when he is likely to be present. Mr. G. Hutchison moved, That Mr. Vigers be asked to attend this day week, and be requested to bring the documents required by the Committee. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, by way of amendment, That Mr. Vigers be requested to hold himself in readiness to attend, and to have all the papers and documents ready, but not to leave Dunedin until he receives a telegram from the Chairman asking him to come to Wellington. iv—l. 6.