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pass-book shows payments at similarly later dates of amounts approximately corresponding with Schedule C ; that like amounts are regularly debited to " Streets " and other works ; and that, as early as possible after production of the cheques for amounts referred to, the auditors be requested to further report as to these payments. The motion, having been amended by the addition of the following words after the word " payments," was carried in the affirmative: "That, the cheques having now come to hand, the Committee will be pleased if the auditors will examine these in connection with their report this afternoon, and attend the Committee to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock and furnish a further report." Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, That the Chairman, Mr. Duthie, Hon. Mr. Ward, and Mr. Morrison be appointed a sub-committee to draw up a report, and submit the same to the Committee. The Committee adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow, Thursday, 3rd instant.

Thursday, 3ed Novembee, 1898. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Sligo (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Duthie, Mr. Graham, Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Morrison, Hon. Mr. Eolleston, Hon. Mr. Ward. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Henry Kember, accountant, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. Mr. John Scott, accountant, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. A reporter was present, and took down the evidence in shorthand. Mr. E. T. D. Bell, solicitor, representing the Union Bank of Australia, was sworn and examined. Mr. Bell handed to the Chairman a list asked for, showing how certain cheques had been dealt with. The Committee then adjourned, time of next meeting to be fixed by Chairman.

Feiday, 4th Novembee, 1898. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Sligo (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Duthie, Mr. Graham, Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Morrison, Hon. Mr. Eolleston, Hon. Mr. Ward. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. A letter was received from the Commissioner of Police, covering the documents asked for by the Committee, obtained from the police at Greymouth. Amongst these documents was an order from Nathan Seddon to pay to E. J. Seddon all moneys due to Nathan Seddon by the Kumara Borough Council, bearing date 7th March, 1878. Besolved, That the above-named order be printed as an exhibit in the Appendix of Minutes of Evidence; also transfer of share from Turn Shum to E. J. Seddon. The following report of the sub-committee was brought up, and was read by the Chairman :— Dbaft Eepobt of the Allegations by the Membee foe Patea Committee. Your Committee, appointed to inquire into the allegations made by the member for Patea on the 23rd August as affecting the Premier, has held sixteen sittings, and examined the following witnesses:— George Harper, law clerk, Christchurch. A. E. Guinness, M.H.E. W. Barnett, surgeon-dentist, Christchurch, ex-Mayor, Kumara. William Nicholson, accountant, Palmerston North, ex-Local Auditor, Borough of Kumara. George Eudkin, Town Clerk, Kumara, an ex-member of Kumara Borough Council. Henry Burger, storekeeper, Kumara, member Borough Council, Kumara. A. C. Campbell, ironmonger, Kumara, ex-member Kumara Borough Council. James Wylde, engineer, Kumara, ex-Town Clerk. Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon. Marcus P. Marks, Hansard Supervisor, Wellington. James McEnnis, clerk, Warden's Court, Kumara. Peter Douglas Todd, draper, Kumara. Joe Tie, Chinese storekeeper, Wellington. Joe Gett, Chinese.storekeeper, Wellington. King Poo, Chinese storekeeper, Wellington. Wong Foo, Chinese storekeeper, Wellington. James Alexander Murdoch, solicitor, Kumara. H. W. Moss, salesman, Wellington. H. M. Woodward, assistant accountant, Bank of New Zealand, Wellington. E. T. D. Bell, barrister and solicitor. Henry Kember, accountant, Wellington. John Scott, accountant, Wellington. The Committee also received letters from the following: — George Hutchison, M.H.E. for Patea. William Perkins, ex-Crown Prosecutor for Westland, and solicitor for the Borough of Kumara. Eeuben Toms, ex-Local Auditor, Borough Council of Kumara. James McKay, ex-E.M. and Warden, Kumara Courts. John Hogg, commercial traveller. G. E. Tolhurst, Inspector, Union Bank of Australia

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