1.—6

XLVI

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Strangers then withdrew, and the Committee deliberated. Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie moved, That, in addition to Mr. Butt, Mr. Foster, and Hon. Mr. W. W. Johnston, the following witnesses be summoned to attend, viz. : Mr. William Brown Vigers, Hon. Mr. Ward, Hon. Mr. George McLean, Hon. Mr. W. D. Stewart, and Mr. Henry Mackenzie. Mr. G. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, to add the name of Mr. W. R. Cook, official liquidator in the Ward Association. Upon Mr. G. Hutchison's amendment being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 2.—Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. Noes, 6.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Tanner. So it passed in the negative. Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie's motion was then put, and it was resolved in the affirmative. The strangers were then readmitted. Mr. John Marten Butt, Colonial Auditor, Bank of New Zealand, attended and was sworn, and made a statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. At 1.15 p.m. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved, That the Committee do now adjourn until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. Mr. G. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, 2.30 p.m. this day. Upon the question being put, That 10.30 to-morrow stand, a division was called for, and the names taken down as follow :— Ayes, B.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. No, I.—Mr. G. Hutchison. So it was resolved in the affirmative. The original question was then put, and it was resolved in the affirmative, and the Committee adjourned accordingly.

Tuesday, 15th September, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. John Marten Butt attended and continued his statement, which was taken down by the reporter. At 1.10 p.m, Resolved, on the motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the Committee adjourn until to-morrow at 10.30 o'clock.

Wednesday, 16th September, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. J. M. Butt attended and concluded his statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. Hon. Mr. Seddon handed in agreement between Colonial Bank and Bank of New Zealand, B. 27, 1895, and the same was marked as Exhibit No. 49a. Mr. Butt handed in summary of lists 1, 2, 3 and 4, and other assets, and the same was marked as Exhibit No. 63. Mr. Hutchison handed in copy of deed between Mr. Thomas Russell and Bank of New Zealand, dated 30th August, 1887, and the same was marked as Exhibit No. 64 ; and letter to President, Board of Directors, Bank of New Zealand, from Messrs. Tolhurst, Buller, and Andrews, dated 9th March, 1889, and the same was marked as Exhibit No. 65. At 1.10 p.m., Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Seddon, That the Committee adjourn until to-morrow at 11 o'clock a.m.

Thursday, 17th September, 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. Mr. Walter George Foster, Manager .New Zealand Estates Company, attended and was sworn, and made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Foster handed in a statement, showing the area, value, &c, of stations, profit and loss accounts, 1895-96, and the same was marked as Exhibit No. 66. At 1.10 p.m., Resolved, on the motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the Committee do adjourn until to-morrow at 10.30 o'clock a.m.

Friday, 18th September, 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. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Montgomery, That notice be given to Mr. James Hanna to attend and give evidence.