LXVII

1.—6

Mr. Maslin moved to insert the following words : " Your Committee were also desirous of obtaining full information respecting the investment of £150,000 by the Bank of New Zealand in New Zealand Consols and the placing of this sum with the Colonial Bank on fixed deposit. The investigation of these accounts was ruled out of order and objected to as an inquiry into private accounts." Upon the question being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 2. —Mr. Maslin, Mr. Montgomery. Noes, B.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. So it was passed in the negative. Paragraph as amended agreed to. Private Accounts. Agreed to. Present Position and Prospects of the Bank of New Zealand. Agreed to. Hon. Mr. McKenzie moved, That the report be adopted. Mr. Hutchison moved, by way of amendment, to strike out all the words after the word " that," with a view to inserting other words which he read. Hon. Mr. Seddon raised as a point of order that the amendment moved by Mr. Hutchison was inadmissable. The Chairman ruled that Mr. Hutchison's amendment was out of order. The question being put that the report as amended be adopted, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 9.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Maslin, Mr. McGowan, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Tanner. No, I.—Mr. Hutchison. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the report be presented to the House to-day, and that the minutes of evidence, proceedings, and exhibits be presented as soon after as possible. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the thanks of the Committee be tendered to the Chairman and be recorded on the minutes of proceedings for the able, painstaking, and conscientious manner in which he has performed the duties of Chairman of this Committee. Mr. Graham suitably replied. The Committee, at 3.30 a.m. on Friday morning, the 9th day of October, adjourned.

Saturday, 10th October, 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 and confirmed. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Guinness, That the Committee record its appreciation of the able manner in which the Clerk (Mr. E. W. Kane) has performed his arduous duties, and recommends that he be paid extra for his services.