3

I.—6a.

on the evidence given by Carter before the Committee, and also gave information for the use of the Committee Afterwards Mr. Beattie dealt with the evidence given before the Boyal Commission which sat to inquire into the cause of the Bakaia railway accident. A telegram was then put in by Mr. Beattie as confirmatory evidence of a statement he had made to the Committee. (Exhibit B.) Mr. Taylor then asked Mr. Beattie questions on behalf of Mr. Carter, and moved, That the following inquiry be made at Addington : " Whether the engine used by Carter has met with any accident since the date of the Bakaia collision, or run into and injured a stop-block at Addington and damaged the cowcatcher." (Vide Exhibit C.) Mr. Taylor read a letter, asked leave to put it in, and the Committee acquiesced. (Exhibit D.) Mr. Carter asked Mr. Beattie questions. As it was 1 o'clock, the Chairman then proposed to adjourn, and, on the motion of Mr. Morrison, it was decided to ask leave to sit at 3 p.m. the same afternoon. The Committee met again, pursuant to order, at 3 p.m. Mr. Carter continued to question Mr. Beattie, and afterwards members individually questioned Mr. Beattie. The taking of evidence having concluded, the Committee proceeded to deliberate upon the proceedings. The Chairman moved, That a final decision be come to ; but Mr. Morrison moved, as an amendment, That the further consideration of the petition be held over to enable members to obtain printed copies of the evidence taken down. Mr. Lawry supported the amendment, and Mr. Taylor also. On the amendment being put, it was carried unanimously. The consideration of the petition was therefore adjourned, and it was agreed that a day be fixed by the Chairman, to be decided afterwards. The Hon. Mr. Cadman suggested that a copy of the evidence be supplied to Carter, and that he should be afforded an opportunity to go through the same with the Clerk before the next meeting. Agreed to.

Extract, 14th September, 1899. The Hon. Mr. Cadman brought before the Committee certain official letters received in connection with the case of Petition No. 177, Charles Henry Carter, adjourned. On the motion of Mr. Morrison, it was resolved, That the papers be received; that they be printed and circulated amongst members of the Committee.

Extract, 22nd September, 1899. The Chairman then asked the Committee to decide upon a day for the further consideration of Petition No. 177, Charles Henry Carter, adjourned, and it was decided that the Committee should meet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 26th instant.

Extract, 29th September, 1899. Petition No. 177, Charles Henry Carter, adjourned, was brought before the Committee for further consideration. The Hon. Mr. Cadman moved the following motion: That, after full investigation and careful consideration of this case, the Committee have no recommendation to make. The Committee also desire to express their disapproval of the charges made by Carter against his fellow-employes without bringing forward some substantial proofs of the same. Upon this, Mr. Taylor moved, as an amendment, That, in view of the fact that Carter was acquitted on a charge of manslaughter brought against him, and that the Bailway Department made no specific charge against him at any time, this Committee is of opinion that he is entitled, under Bule 7 of the railway regulations, to the payment of the wages which would have accrued to him, ordinarily, during the period he was suspended. A discussion arose, and Mr. Flatman suggested that the Hon. Mr. Cadman should only move the first part of his motion—viz., That, after full investigation and careful consideration of this case, the Committee have no recommendation to make. This was done by leave of the Committee. Upon Mr. Taylor's amendment being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 2.—Mr. Tanner, Mr. Taylor. Noes, 6.—Mr. E. G. Allen, Hon. Mr. Cadman, Mr. Flatman, Mr. Holland, Mr. Massey, Mr. Morrison. So it passed in the negative. Amendment lost. The Hon. Mr. Cadman's motion —viz., That, after full investigation and careful consideration, the Committee have no recommendation to make—was then put, and, a division being called, the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 5. —Mr. E. G. Allen, Hon. Mr. Cadman, Mr. Flatman, Mr. Holland, Mr. Morrison. Noes, 3.—Mr. Lawry, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Taylor. So it was resolved in the affirmative. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Cadman, it was also resolved, That the evidence and Appendix be attached to the report.