I.—ILL

V

Loans to Local Authorities Inquiry. Arnold Wilkins, foreman inspector, Remuera Road Board, attended, was sworn, and examined by members of the Committee. Hugh Munro Wilson, civil engineer, Auckland, and engineer to the Remuera Road Board, attended, was sworn, and examined by members of the Committee. Charles Sommers Wilson, Clerk of Remuera Road Board, attended, was sworn, and examined by members of the Committee. Alexander Scholes, Chairman, Waitomo County Council, attended, was sworn, and examined by members of the Committee. The Right Hon. Sir Joseph George Ward, member of Parliament, Wellington, was sworn, and made a statement. Mr. Lee raised a point of order that the witness was going beyond the order of reference. The Chairman ruled that the witness must confine himself to the order of reference — i.e., the operation of the New Zealand State-guaranteed Advances Act since its inception—and to the letter of the Superintendent. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward proceeded with his statement, and on conclusion was examined by members of the Committee. The Committee adjourned at 1 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. The Committee resumed at 5.30 p.m. Present: Mr. Hine (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Allen, Mr. Craigie, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Lee, Mr. Myers, Dr. Newman, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward was further examined by members of the Committee. During examination by the Hon. Mr. Allen, and on being asked by the Chairman " to answer a question or refuse to answer," the witness used the words "That it was a downright piece of impertinence." Moved by the Hon. Mr. Allen, That the words " That it was a downright piece of impertinence " be taken down. The Chairman asked the witness to withdraw the wwds. The witness refused to withdraw the words. The motion that the words be taken down, on being put, was resolved in the affirmative, and the words were taken down. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Allen, That the resolution be reported to the House. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward thereupon left the room. The Committee adjourned until Tuesday, the 22nd instant. Tuesday, the 22nd 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. Lee, Mr. Myers, Dr. Newman, Mr. Pearce, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. Minutes of previous meeting read. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward raised the question of the correctness of the minutes. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward moved, That the words used by the Chairman should be recorded in the minutes. The Chairman ruled the motion out of order. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward wished his objection recorded. Moved by Mr. Pearce, That the minutes be amended by inserting the words " or refuse to answer." The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward protested that the minutes were inaccurate. On the Chairman putting the question it was resolved in the affirmative. On the Chairman putting the question, " That the minutes as amended be confirmed " it was resolved in the affirmative, the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward dissenting. The Chairman read an apology for absence received from Mr. E. Newman. On the motion of the Chairman, resolved, That leave be granted to Mr. Newman. The Chairman read the order of reference referring the report presented to the House on the 21st instant back to the Committee. The Chairman asked the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward to withdraw the words, as they had been ruled by Mr. Speaker as unparliamentary. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward refused to withdraw the words, and stated he could only consider the withdrawal of them provided the Chairman withdrew his remarks to him. The report was then brought up for discussion. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Allen, resolved, That the Committee adjourn for half an hour. The Committee adjourned until 11.30 a.m. The Committee resumed at 11.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Hine (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Allen, Mr. Craigie, Mr. Hanan, Mr. Lee, Mr. Myers, Dr. Newman, Mr. Pearce, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The consideration of the report was further discussed. The Hon. Mr. Allen asked the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward to withdraw the words. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward refused. Moved by Hon. Mr. Allen, That the Chairman report to the House that the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward again refused to withdraw the words complained of in the report as presented to the House on the 21st instant.