1.—17

14

An apology from Mr. McCallum for his absence was read by the clerk. Application for counsel: A letter from Mr. Joshua Jones was read by the clerk (Exhibit No. 1). Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Bell, That no further recommendation be made to the House in reference to counsel for Mr. Jones. Mr. Joshua Jones, the petitioner, was sworn, and gave evidence. The following exhibits were handed in: Preliminary statement (Exhibit A); map of Mokau district (No. 1) (Exhibit B); book, "Special Powers and Contracts: Gazette Proclamations, Mokau-Mohakatina Block" (Exhibits C and D); letter from Mr. Carrington to Mr. Jones (Exhibit E); letter from Mr. Sheehan to Mr. Jones (Exhibit F); report of Royal Commission (Exhibit G); Hansard report in reference to Sir Frederick Whitaker (Exhibit H); lease (Exhibit I); copy of London Truth (Exhibit J); statement of claims (Exhibit X). Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the meeting do now adjourn until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow, 9th instant. The Committee adjourned accordingly. Wednesday, the 9th Dai , of October, 1912. The Joint Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Hon. Mr. Anstey, Mr. Bell, Hon. Mr. George, Hon. Mr. Louisson, Hon. Mr. Luke, Mr. Mander, Mr. McCallum, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr. Statham, Hon. Captain Tucker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Order of reference: The order of reference of the Legislative Council, "That the name of the Hon. Mr. Loughnan be discharged from this Committee and that the name of the Hon. Mr. Louisson be added in lieu thereof," was read by the clerk. Resolved, That Mr. Dalton be summoned to give evidence on Tuesday, the 15th instant. Mr. Joshua Jones was then called upon to continue his evidence, and he handed in the following exhibits: London Truth, 23rd June, 1898 (Exhibit L); Westminster Review, May, 1909 (Exhibit M); letter from West Australian Mining Company, dated 23rd September, 1895 (Exhibit N); letter from Robert Doyle, dated 14th January, 1909 (Exhibit O); prospectus, New Zealand Coal Corporation (Limited), (Exhibit P); "Native Land and Native Land Tenure" (Exhibit Q); petitions to A to L Report Committee (Exhibit R); cutting from paper dated 25th October, 1909 (Exhibit S); Committee report, page 232 (Exhibit T); notes written by Mr. Jones —copy of cable, 1907 (Exhibit U); report, page 152, 1911 (Exhibit V); defence, Jones v. Lefroy and Others, 1907 (Exhibit W); newspaper reports, cuttings (Exhibit X). Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the meeting do now adjourn until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow, 10th instant. The Committee adjourned accordingly. Thursday, the 10th Day op October, 1912. The Joint Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Hon. Mr. Anstey, Mr. Bell, Hon. Mr. George, Hon. Mr. Louisson, Hon. Mr. Luke, Mr. Mander, Mr. McCallum, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mi-. Statham, Hon. Captain Tucker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Joshua Jones was then called upon to continue his evidence, and lie read various statements, and handed in the following exhibits : Letter, Stafford and Treadwell (Exhibit V); Gazette notice, dated Bth October, 1885 (Exhibit Z); paper cuttings in reference to statement, 17th August, 1910 (Exhibit AA); paper cuttings from New Zealand Times, 13th June, 1901 (Exhibit BB); paper cuttings from Evening Post, 28th January, 1899 (Exhibit CC); letter and extracts, New Zealand, Herald and Taranaki Herald, 1906 (Exhibit DD); extract from New Zealand Times, 18th August, 1910 (Exhibit EE); Hansard report, page 598 (Exhibit FF); Hansard report, page 646 (Exhibit GG). Mr. Joshua Jones asked the Chairman to adjourn this meeting, which was done accordingly. The meeting was adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow, 11th instant. Friday, the 11th Day op October, 1912. The Joint Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present : Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Hon. Mr. Anstey, Mr. Bell, Mr. Craigie, Hon. Mr. George, Hon. Mr. Louisson, Hon. Mr. Luke, Mr. Mander, Mr. McCallum, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr. Statham, Hon. Captain Tucker. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed as amended. Mr. Thomas William Fisher, Under-Secretary for the Native Department, was called in and produced the original document asked for, and also read a further document relating to the same. Mr. Joshua Jones was then called xipon to continue his evidence, and he handed in the following exhibits: Hansard report, pages 597, 598, 599, 600, 1910 (Exhibit HH); letter of Jenkins, 15th January, 1909 (Exhibit II); Court order by Justice Parker, Ist November, 1907 (Exhibit JJ); cutting from paper, 20th September, 1902 (Exhibit XX); letter from Treadwell to Sir J. G. Ward, 22nd June, 1910 (Exhibit LL); paper cutting, Dominion, 26th October, 1910 (Exhibit MM).