1.—6.

XXXVIII

prised in the foregoing requisition)— (a) the original cable (or telegram) as delivered from the-telegraph-office on or about the 28th June, 1895, and referred to in the evidence of William Brown Vigers before the Supreme Court on the sth June, 1896; (b) all other cables (or telegrams) as delivered, and all original letters from London or elsewhere, on the same subject; (c) the code in use by the bank at the time of the receipt of such cables (or telegrams); (d) the draft or bill of exchange for £20,000 drawn by the manager of the J. G. Ward Farmers' Association on or about the 29th June, 1895 ; (c) the warrants given in respect to or in connection with such draft or bill of exchange; (/) the draft for £16,000 afterwards drawn by the Hon. J. G. Ward ; (g) the scrip or shares lodged therewith; and (h) the promissory note for £55,230 (or thereabouts) given by the Hon. J. G. Ward on or about the 19th October, 1895. (5.) All letters and communications as to the deposit by the Colonial Treasurer (in 1894) of £150,000. (6.) The debentures of the Ward Association held for the bank. (7.) All other books, documents, papers, and writings relating to the matters respectively above mentioned, and now in the possession, custody, or control of any one or more of such liquidators. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee adjourn till to-morrow at 11 o'clock a.m. Mr. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, to strike out "11 o'clock" and insert "10 o'clock." And 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 Steward. Noes, 2.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. The motion was then put, and it was resolved in the affirmative, and the Committee adjourned accordingly.

Thursday, 27th August, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner. The minutes were read. Mr. Montgomery asked if the question put yesterday by Mr. McGowan, and answered by the Chairman, should appear in the minutes. A discussion ensued. Mr. Maslin moved, That the report of the question put by Mr. McGowan, and the Chairman's answer, be struck out of the minutes. And the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow:— Ayes, 4.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 4.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. The votes being equal, the Chairman gave his casting-vote with the " Noes." So it passed in the negative. The minutes were then confirmed. A letter was read from Mr. J. C. Hanna, Auckland, asking that his evidence might be taken as soon as possible, as he would be leaving Auckland for an indefinite period. Ordered, That the letter do lie upon the table. A letter, dated the 25th August, 1896, was read from Mr. D. Buddo, M.H.R., referring to certain evidence given by Mr. Watson, relating to the balance-sheet, New Zealand Farmers' Association. Ordered, That the letter do lie upon the table. A letter was read from Mr. Gibbs, accountant, Bank of New Zealand, asking to have a correction made in the statement supplied giving the amount of honorarium to be paid to Mr. Booth. Ordered, That the letter do lie upon the table. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hutchison, That the letter be attached to the exhibit to which it refers. Mr. William Watson attended and made a further statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Watson handed in—(1) Memorandum of balances of Profit and Loss Accounts as shown in balance-sheets of Bank of New Zealand Estates Company for years ending 31st March, 1891-96 inclusive ; (2) Bank of New Zealand analysis of deposits on 31st March, 1896 ; (3) transfers registered since 30th June, 1894, on the Colonial Share Register of the Bank of New Zealand, with calls due on shares transferred, paid at date of instrument of transfer ; (4) list of persons who became shareholders in Bank of New Zealand since 30th June, 1894, and who have not paid calls; (5) correspondence re appointment of Messrs. Buller and Litchfield, bank inspectors: and the same were marked as Exhibits Nos. 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee do now adjourn until 11 o'clock a.m. to-morrow. Mr. Hutchison moved 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, 5. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, 2.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative, and the Committee adjourned accordingly.

Monday, 31st 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.