1.—6

XXXII

Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Booth attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. During Mr. Booth's examination Mr. Hutchison asked to the investigation into the position of the Ward Association. Hon. Mr. Seddon asked, as a point of order, whether the question could be put as coming within the order of reference. A discussion ensued. The Chairman ruled that at the present time the question was premature and irrelevant. Further on, Mr. Hutchison asked, " Is not the Ward Association, now in liquidation, a debtor to the Bank of New Zealand?" Objection being taken, the Chairman ruled that the question could not be put. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Montgomery, That the Chairman apply for a further extension of twenty-one days in which to bring up the report of the Committee. At 1 o'clock p.m. the Committee adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Wednesday, 12th 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. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Order of reference of the 11th August read. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. John Murray, of Sydney, in reference to his attending as a witness. Ordered, That the letter do lie upon the table and be considered later on, together with the other matters standing over for consideration. Mr. William Booth attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. During 'Mr. Booth's examination two exhibits were handed in and marked Nos. 26 and 27. At 1 o'clock p.m. the Hon. Mr. McKenzie moved, That the Committee adjourn until to-morrow at 11 o'clock a.m. Mr. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, That the hour be 10.30 a.m. And the question being put, That the words " 11 o'clock " stand, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 7.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. ■ Noes, 2.—Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Committee adjourned accordingly.

Thursday, 13th August, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman stated that Mr. C. E. Button, M.H.R., had informed him that he had received from Mr. John Murray a written statement dealing with the banking legislation, and that he was prepared to hand it in to the Committee at any time. Mr. William Booth attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. During Mr. Booth's examination Mr. Hutchison asked Mr. Booth, " You have already referred to the fact of the Bank of New Zealand having purchased £150,000 New Zealand Consols. What was the date of such purchase ? " Mr. Booth replied, " I am advised that I cannot give the particulars asked for by Mr. Hutchison, inasmuch as a demand for such particulars is irrelevant to the present inquiry, and is outside the order of reference." Hon. Mr. Seddon asked, as a point of order, if the question could be put as coming within the order of reference. The Chairman said, "The question standing above seems unimportant, but, as a prelude to others indicated by Mr. Hutchison which I think would not come within the scope of the order of reference, I must rule it to be irrelevant." Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie moved, That the Committee adjourn until to-morrow at 11 o'clock a.m. Mr. Hutchison moved, That the hour be 10.30 a.m. Upon the question being put, That "11 o'clock" stand, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 5. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 3.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. The Committee adjourned accordingly.

Friday, 14th August, 1896. Present : Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed.