1.—6

So it was resolved in the affirmative. Strangers then withdrew, and the Committee deliberated. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee report the proceedings to the House, and ask the House to direct whether the Committee proceed during the continuance of the no-confidence debate. After discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Hon. Major Steward moved, That the further proceedings of the Committee be adjourned until after the want-of-confidence debate is concluded; but Mr. Booth's reply to the Committee's request,—that he was not at present prepared to supply, " (11.) (a.) Statement showing in detail the ' landed property and bank premises' referred to in paragraph 25, (b), of the agreement of the 18th October, 1895, with the value of each, and the price against any since sold, and the present income in respect of any remaining unsold," —be considered. Upon the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, s.—Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, s.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. And the votes being equal, the Chairman gave his casting-vote with the " Noes." So it passed in the negative. The Committee then considered Mr. Booth's reply to the Committee's request to produce the statement referred to in section 11 (a). Mr. Hutchison moved, after the word "each," in line three, to insert "as at the date of the balance-sheets of the Colonial Bank, mentioned in such agreement." After discussion, motion withdrawn. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hutchison, That' Mr. Booth be asked to produce the statement referred to. Mr. Hutchison moved, That Mr. W. S. Foster be directed to attend at the next sitting of the Committee; to produce the documents mentioned in his subpoena for the purpose of the same being printed. The Chairman ruled that the motion could not be put without notice. Mr. Hutchison then gave notice to move it at the next meeting. The witnesses were readmitted. The Chairman informed Mr. Booth of the Committee's decision, and asked him to produce the statement referred to, at the next meeting. Hon. Mr. Seddon stated that, as the Committee, by the casting-vote of the Chairman, had decided to go on with the inquiry notwithstanding the no-confidence debate in the House not being concluded, he would postpone asking any further questions of the witness until the conclusion of the debate. Mr. Montgomery proceeded to examine the witness. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee do now adjourn. After discussion, the Hon. Mr. Seddon asked leave to withdraw the motion. Leave refused. And the question being put, it passed in the negative. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee proceed to deliberate. And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow:— Ayes, 5. —Mr. McGowan, Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, s.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. And the votes being equal, the Chairman gave his casting-vote with the " Noes." So it passed in the negative. Mr. Booth's examination was being proceeded with when Mr. Theo. Cooper asked leave to interpose why certain questions should not be answered. A discussion ensued. Mr. McGowan moved, That the Committee do now adjourn. And the question being put, it passed in the negative. The Chairman ruled that, in accordance with a resolution of the Committee, counsel could not address the Committee. Mr. Guinness moved, That the Committee do now deliberate as to whether counsel is entitled to raise objections on a question put to the witness. And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow:— Ayes, 5. —Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, 4.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Strangers then withdrew, and the Committee deliberated. Mr Guinness moved, That Mr. Cooper be permitted to raise objections to any question that may be put to a witness. The Chairman ruled that the question could not be put without notice. A discussion ensued. Hon. Mr. Seddon gave notice to move at next meeting, That, notwithstanding the resolution passed on the 15th day of July last, as to counsel addressing the Committee, this may be relaxed on motion by the Committee, without notice, being carried, that in respect to any particular objection made on question being put to witness.

XXVII