1.—6

XXXV

Wednesday, 19th 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. Hon. Major Steward gave notice to move on Wednesday next, That Mr. Robert McOwen, for some time manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Invercargill, be ordered to attend as a witness. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved the motion of which he had given notice yesterday. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. McKenzie, That the consideration of the motion be postponed until the evidence of the directors of the Bank of New Zealand is concluded. Mr. Maslin moved the motion of which he had given notice yesterday. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Montgomery, That the consideration of the motion be postponed until the evidence of the directors of the Bank of New Zealand is concluded. Mr. Montgomery raised the question as to what was to be done in reference to the statement forwarded by Mr. John Murray. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Guinness, That Mr. Button be requested to hand in the sworn evidence of Mr. John Murray, and that it lie upon the table and be available to members of the Committee for perusal. Mr. William Watson attended and continued his statement, which was taken down by the reporter. During the examination of Mr. Watson, Mr. Hutchison asked, " Did the Bank ofNNc r Zealand, as agent for the Colonial Bank, debit the ' C ' list accounts with the sum of £30,000 on the 20th November? " Hon. Mr. Seddon asked, as a point of order, if the question came within the order of reference. The Chairman ruled that as no writings-off were shown the question could not be put. Hon. Major Steward moved, That the Committee do now adjourn until 11 o'clock to-morrow. Mr. Hutchison moved that the hour be 10.30 o'clock. Upon the question being put, " That 11 o'clock stand," a division was called for, and the nameswere taken down as follow :— Ayes, 6. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, 2.— Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative, and the Committee adjourned accordingly.

Thursday, 20th 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 previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. William Watson attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Watson handed in Governor's warrant of appointment, President, Bank of New Zealand, and letter from Colonial Treasurer thereon, and which were marked as Exhibits Nos. 31 and 32. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee do now adjourn till 11 o'clock to-morrow. Mr. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, the hour be 10.30. And upon the question being put, "That 11 o'clock stand," a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 7.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, 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 Committee adjourned accordingly.

Friday, 21st August, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. William Watson attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Watson handed in estimate of value of Colonial Bank business to Bank of New Zealand, and percentage of cost of management to gross earnings for half-year 1895-96, and the same were marked as Exhibits Nos. 33 and 34. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee adjourn until Monday next at 10.30. Mr. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, to strike out "Monday," with a view of inserting " to-morrow." Upon the question being put, "That Monday stand part of the question," 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, Hon. Major Steward. Noes, 2.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Upon the main question being put, it was resolved in the affirmative, and the Committee adjourned accordingly.