XLIX

L—6

Mr. J. M. Butt attended and made a further statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. Hon. Mr. Walter Woods Johnston, a director of the Bank of New Zealand, attended, and was sworn, and made a statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. ■■: At 1.30 p.m., Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, To adjourn until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Thursday, 24th September, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montr gomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. J. C. Hanna asked to be excused from attendance till to-morrow. Resolved, on the motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That Mr. Hanna be excused from attendance till 10.30 to-morrow. The Chairman read a memorandum of papers and documents that Mr. Hanna desired to peruse, and which are in the possession of the New Zealand Estates Company. Resolved, on the motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That Mr. Hanna's memorandum be received. That a copy of Mr. Hanna's memorandum in respect to his having access to certain reports, documents, &c, now in possession by the Estates Company, the Bank of New Zealand, and the Assets Realization Board, be forwarded to the Colonial Manager of the Estates Company, the President, Bank of New Zealand, and the General Manager of the Estates Company, with a request that Mr. Hanna be allowed to see the said reports, papers, and documents, and that every facility be given to Mr. Hanna to enable him to place before the Committee full and reliable information. Hon. George McLean, M.L.C., attended, and was sworn and made a statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. At 1.10 p.m. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Maslin, that the Committee adjourn until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Saturday, 26th September, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Stewart, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman stated he had received a letter from Mr. W. G. Foster giving further details which the Committee required. Resolved, That the letter be considered later on. Hon. George McLean, M.L.C., attended and concluded his statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. Mr. Hutchison asked the Hon. Mr. McLean certain questions in reference to the J. G. Ward Association, which were ruled out of order as not being within the order of reference, and which were directed by the Chairman not to be taken down by the reporter. Mr. William Graham Rhind, Inspector Bank of New South Wales, attended, was sworn, and made a statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. Mr. James Crawford Hanna, Inspector New Zealand Insurance Fire and Marine Company, attended and made a statement, and the same was taken down by the reporter. At 1.15 p.m. Mr. McGowan moved, That the Committee do now adjourn until 10.30 o'clock on Monday. The Chairman moved, by way of amendment, 2.30 this afternoon. Upon the question being put that 10.30 o'clock on Monday stand, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow:— Ayes, 5. —Mr. Guinness, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Major Stewart, Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, 3.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery. So it was resolved in the affirmative. And the question as a whole being put, it was resolved in the affirmative, and the Committee adjourned accordingly.

Monday, 28th September, 1896. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), Mr. McGowan, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Hon. MrMcKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read. Mr. Hutchison moved to add to the minutes, after the paragraph referring to the Hon. George McLean giving evidence, the following: Mr. Hutchison asked Mr. McLean certain questions in reference to the J. G. Ward Association, which were ruled out of order as not being within the order of reference, and which were directed by the Chairman not to be taken down by the reporter. Upon the question being put a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, s.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Tanner, Noes, 2.—Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie. So it was resolved in the affirmative, The minutes were then confirmed. The Chairman read a letter, dated the 28th September, 1896, from a number of flour-millers, asking to be allowed to attend and give evidence. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Montgomery, That Messrs. Thomas Meek, William Evans, and D. H. Brown be requested to attend to give evidence, vii.—l. 6.