I.—lla,

IV

Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Allen, That a return be obtained giving the total amount of loans provisionally approved on the date of the Hon. Mr. Allen's coming into office, and what has become of them — i.e., lapsed, approved, or granted. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, That the evidence taken at this inquiry be printed. Strangers and the clerk withdrew, and the Committee deliberated. On resuming the clerk was instructed to summon as witnesses —Hou. Sir J. G. Findlay; the Chairman, Spreydon Road Board, Christchurch; Mr. A. Scholes, Chairman, Waitomo County Council, Te Kuiti; Mr. C. A. Cawkwell, Clerk, Waitemata County Council, Auckland; H. Munro Wilson, 4 and 5 Palmerston Buildings, Auckland; Mr. Wilkins, Foreman, Reservoir Works, Remuera; and Mr. Wilson, Clerk, Road Board, Vincent Road, Remuera. Resolved to meet to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. The Committee then adjourned. Wednesday, the 16th Day of October, 1912. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Hine (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Allen, Mr. Craigie, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Lee, Mr. Myers, Dr. Newman, Mr. E. Newman, Right Hou. Sir J. G. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Loans to Local Authorities Inquiry. Mr. J. W. Poynton, Superintendent of the State-guaranteed Advances Department, attended, and was further examined by members of the Committee. Mi-. Poynton put in a return showing the total amount of loans which have been provisionally approved but have not been finally granted. (Exhibit J.) The Hon. Sir J. G. Findlay, K.C.M.G., attended, and, being sworn, was examined by members of the Committee. Mr. Poynton, recalled, gave further evidence, and was questioned by members of the Committee. Resolved, on the motion of Dr. Newman, That a return be prepared showing loans granted and paid over during each month for the years 1910—11. The Committee then adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, the 17th instant. Thursday, the 17th Day op October, 1912. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Hine (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Allen, Mr. Craigie, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Lee, Mr. Myers, Dr. Newman, Mr. E. Newman, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Loans to Local Authorities Inquiry. The Chairman laid on the table a return showing Post Office Savings-bank funds vested in security outside of Treasury or Government Departments. (Exhibit X.) Mr. Poynton handed in a return showing loans which were provisionally approved up to the 10th July, and which approvals are now in force, with the position of each application. (Exhibit L.) Mr. Poynton gave further evidence, and was examined by members of the Committee. Mr. Poynton handed in a return showing position of loans raised under the Act of 1909, from the Ist November to the 15th December, 1910. (Exhibit M.) Mr. Poynton was granted leave to withdraw Exhibit L for correction. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hanan, That a return be laid before the Committee showing the total amount of loans granted to boroughs for waterworks, sanitation, and drainage. Mr. Henry Kember, member of the State-guaranteed Advances Board, attended, and, beingsworn, gave evidence, and was questioned by members of the Committee. William Robert Gahagan, Mayor of Spreydon, Christchurch, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, and was questioned by members of the Committee. And the hour of 1 of the clock having arrived, the Committee adjourned until 4 p.m. And the hour of 4 of the clock having arrived, the Committee resumed. Mr. J. K. Warburton, member of the State-guaranteed Advances Board, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, and was examined by members of the Committee. Mr. J. W. Flanagan, Valuer-General and member of the State-guaranteed Advances Board, attended, and, being sworn, gave evidence, and was examined by members of the Committee. The Committee adjourned at 5.45 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Friday, the 18th.instant. Friday, the 18th Day of October, 1912. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present : Mr. Hine (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Allen, Mr. Craigie, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Lee, Mr. Myers, Dr. Newman, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed.