1.—6.

Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee adjourn until Wednesday next. Mr. Hutchison moved to strike out " Wednesday," and insert " Tuesday." On the question being put, " That ' Wednesday ' be retained," a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 8. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 2. —Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. And the original motion being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, B.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 2.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. The witnesses were then readmitted, and the Chairman announced the determination the Committee had come to. Mr. Guinness gave notice to move at the next meeting, That this Committee report to the House that, in its opinion, it is desirable the order of reference suspending Standing Orders Nos. 223 and 229, so as to admit the Press to its proceedings, be rescinded. Mr. Hutchison moved, That the hour of meeting on Wednesday next be 10 o'clock. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, by way of amendment, that the hour be 10.30. And, upon the amendment being put, it was resolved in the affirmative. The Committee adjourned accordingly.

Wednesday, sth August, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. ':' The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Mr. William Booth asking to be excused from attendance till Tuesday next, and also one from Mr. J. C. Hanna asking the Committee to take his evidence as early as possible. Ordered, That the same do lie upon the table. The following notices of motion were given : — No. 1 : Mr. McGowan to move, That from the evidence disclosed in the balance-sheets from 1888 till 1894, showing an average writing-off from customers' accounts of £114,810 per annum, and the payment of dividends during that period not earned by the bank, and if the writing-off for 1895 is included the average for the eight years will total nearly £300,000 per annum, this Committee have come to the conclusion that it is against the interests of the Bank of New Zealand, and indirectly injurious to the colony, to further continue this inquiry. No. 2 : Mr. Montgomery to move, That the following persons be required to attend on Monday next, to produce the documents mentioned in their respective subpoenas: Henry Mackenzie, W. B. Vigers, J. M. Butt, G. Todd, W. G. Foster, J. C. Hanna, G. Buckley. No. 3 : Mr. Montgomery to move, That the Committee appoint Wednesday in each week for ! the consideration of notices of motion, and that on all other days the taking of evidence precede the consideration of notices of motion. No. 4 : Hon. Mr. McKenzie to move, That the evidence of Mr. C. O'Hara Smith be taken at at early date, owing to the state of his health. Mr. Hutchison moved, That Mr. W. G. Foster be directed to attend at the next meeting of the Committee, to produce the documents mentioned in his subpoena, for the purpose of the same being printed. Hon. Mr. Seddon asked that the Committee deliberate and that strangers withdraw. The Chairman ruled that this could only be done by resolution of the Committee. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee do now deliberate. And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 4. —Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, s.—Mr. McGowan, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. So it passed in the negative. Mr. Hutchison proposed the motion previously stated. Hon. Mr. Seddon asked if the motion could be put in the face of a previous resolution of the Committee, deciding that certain witnesses' evidence be first taken. The Chairman ruled that the motion was in order, as Mr. Foster was to be called not to give evidence but to produce certain documents. Upon the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow:— Ayes, 6. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, 3.—Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, 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. ;

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