1.—6.

XLVIII

Upon the question being put, That 10.30 to-morrow stand, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, B.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. No, I.—Mr. Hutchison. So it was resolved in the affirmative, and the main question being put it passed in the affirmative, and the Committee adjourned accordingly.

Tuesday, 22nd September, 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. The minutes of the previous meeting were read. Hon. Mr. Seddon moved to expunge the question as set out, as asked by Mr. Hutchison of Mr. Vigers, the objection of the Hon. Mr. Seddon thereto, and the Chairman's ruling thereon. Upon the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 4.—Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, s.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. So it passed in the negative. Mr. Guinness then moved to strike out of the question all the words after " asked," and insert in lieu thereof, " a question in reference to a certain affidavit filed by the witness in the Supreme Court at Dunedin." And the question being put, That the words proposed to be struck out stand part of the question, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 4.—Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. Noes, s.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. So it passed in the negative. Words struck out. And the question being put, That the words proposed to be inserted by Mr. Guinness be so inserted, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 7. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 3.—Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Words inserted. Resolved, on motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, To strike out from the Chairman's ruling the words, " unless writings-off were shown," and insert in lieu thereof, "seeing the affidavit referred to an account, and that in reference to the same no writings-off had been shown." Hon. Mr. Seddon moved to strike out from the minutes the last two paragraphs. And the question being put, that the paragraphs stand, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 7. —Mr. Graham, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 3.- —Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Paragraphs retained. Upon the question being put, That the minutes as amended be confirmed, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 6. —Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Noes, 4.—Mr. McGowan, Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon. So it was resolved in the affirmative. The minutes were then confirmed. Hon. William Downie Stewart, M.L.C., attended and was sworn, and made a statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. Resolved, on the motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That Mr. Butt be recalled to give further evidence. Resolved, on the motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That Mr. Rhind, Inspector Bank of New South Wales, be summoned to attend as a witness. Resolved, on motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the Chairman apply for ten days' further time in which to bring up the report of the Committee. At 1.15 p.m., Resolved, on motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the Committee adjourn until to-morrow at 11 o'clock.

Wednesday, 23ed September, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Order of reference of the 22nd September, 1896, read. Letter from Mr. John Murray, Sydney, dated the 18th September, 1896, received and read, and ordered to lie upon the table. Hon. Mr. W. D. Stewart attended, and concluded his statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter.