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Mr. Guinness moved the notice of motion which he had given yesterday, and upon it being put, it was resolved in the affirmative. The notices of motion which were standing over for consideration were then considered. Mr. Guinness moved, That this Committee report to the House, that in its opinion it is desirable that the order of reference suspending Standing Orders Nos. 223 and 229, so as to admit the Press to its proceedings be rescinded. And upon the question being put, it passed in the negative. Mr. McGowan moved, 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 these 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. Mr. McGowan asked leave to withdraw the motion. Leave being refused, the question was put, and it passed in the negative. Mr. Montgomery moved, That the following persons are 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, T. C. Hanna, and G. Buckley. Upon the question being put, it passed in the negative. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Montgomery, 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. Mr. Hutchison moved, That the resolution of the 21st July, as to order of calling witnesses be rescinded, and that in future witnesses be called in such order as the Committee at the time (and without notice of motion) shall determine. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, by way of amendment, to insert after the word "rescinded" the words " except as regards the directors of the Bank of New Zealand now in the colony." And the-question being put, " That the words proposed to be inserted be so inserted," 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 as amended being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken as follow: — Ayes, 5. —Mr. Graham, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Major Steward, Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, 4. —Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. W 7 illiam Watson attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. During Mr. Watson's examination Mr. Hutchison asked, " Whether you, as General Inspector of the Colonial Bank would know of the account of Mr. Ward in the Colonial Bank at Invercargill "? Hon. Mr. Seddon asked, as a point of order, whether the question came within the order of reference. The Chairman ruled the question could be put. Further on Mr. Hutchison asked of Mr. Watson, " Do yon remember whether the account of Mr. J. G. Ward was overdrawn at the date of the balance-sheet" ? Hon. Mr. Seddon asked, as a point of order, if the question could be put as coming within the order of reference. The Chairman ruled that the question could be put. Further on Mr. Watson having obtained permission to make an explanation concerning a certain draft of £4,000, some discussion took place as to whether or not Mr. Watson should read the whole of a letter he desired to quote from. After discussion, the question was postponed so that Mr. Watson could ask the parties interested if they had any objection to the whole of the letter being read. Mr. Watson proceeded to make a statement concerning the issue of the draft of £4,000, when Mr. Hutchison objected until the whole of the letter referred to was read. The Chairman ruled, that as Mr. Watson had said he had read the whole of the letter as far as it referred to the transaction in question, he was right to make an explanation. At 1.30, the Hon. Mr. Seddon proposed the Committee do adjourn until 11 o'clock to-morrow. Mr. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, to strike out " 11," and insert " 10.30." Upon the question being put, That 11 o'clock stand, 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 Stewart. Noes, 3.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr. Maslin gave notice to move to-morrow, That Mr. C. N. Mackintosh, Church Street, Timaru, be summoned to attend forthwith, and give evidence. Hon. Mr. Seddon gave notice to move to-morrow, That the resolution passed on the 21st July, and varied on the 18th August, be further varied so that Mr. William Evans, of Timaru, be enabled to attend and give evidence, and that Mr. Evans be summoned to attend and give evidence forthwith. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

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