XXXIII

1.—6.

Mr. William Booth attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Booth handed in further documents, which were marked as Exhibits 28 and 29. Hon. Mr. McKenzie moved, That the Committee do now adjourn until Monday next at 11 o'clock. Mr. Hutchison moved by way of amendment, To strike out " Monday" and insert " tomorrow." Mr. Montgomery desired to strike out " now " and insert " at its rising." The Chairman ruled that Mr. Montgomery's amendment could not be accepted. And the question being put, That the word "Monday" stand, 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, 4. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. And, the votes being equal, the Chairman gave his casting vote with the " Noes." So it passed in the Negative. And the question being put, That the word "to-morrow" be inserted, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 4. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. Noes, 4.—Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. And, the votes being equal, the Chairman gave his casting vote with the " Ayes." So it was resolved in the affirmative. The Committee adjourned accordingly.

Saturday, 15th August, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. . Mr. Win. Booth was in attendance to continue his evidence. Mr. Booth handed in Profit and Loss Account Bank of New Zealand Estates Company, and marked as Exhibit No. 30. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hutchison, That as no member of the Committee present is desirous of asking Mr. Booth any further questions, he be relieved from attendance for the time being. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hutchison, That the further evidence of Mr. Watson be now taken. Mr. Watson, having presented himself for examination, the Clerk called the Chairman's attention to the fact that a quorum of members were not present. After waiting to see if further members would attend, and it was ascertained no further members were likely to attend, the Chairman asked the clerk to record the names of the members present —namely, Messrs. Graham, Hutchison, Maslin, and Montgomery—and then adjourned the meeting till Monday next, at 10 o'clock a.m.

Monday, 17th 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, and Mr. Tanner. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. William Watson attended and continued his statement, which was taken down by the reporter. At 1.15. p.m., the Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee do adjourn until 11 o'clock to-morrow. Mr. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, To strike out "11 o'clock," with a view of inserting another hour. Upon the question being put, That the word "Eleven" stand, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 7. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, 2.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. And the question being put, That the Committee do now adjourn until to-morrow at 11 o'clock, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 6.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, 3.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. Guinness gave notice to move to-morrow, That the notices of motion be considered at the next meeting, and be the first order of business. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

Tuesday, 18th August, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Sedclon, Hon. Major Steward. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. v.—l 6.