L—l 7

16

Feidat, the 18th Day of Octobee, 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. Dickie, Hon. Mr. George, Mr. McCallum, Mr. Statham. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. • Mr. Statham then continued his examination of Mr. Jones. Hon. Mr. Anstey then examined Mr. Jones. The Chairman (Hon. Mr. Rigg) then examined Mr. Jones. This concluded the examination of Mr. Jones. Mr. Jones handed in an exhibit, letter memorandum, 18th October, 1912 (Exhibit PPP). Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the following witnesses be summoned to appear on Tuesday, the 22nd instant : Hon. Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. Herries, Mr. Treadwell (solicitor), also Mr. 'Sturtevant, District Land Registrar, New Plymouth. The Press representatives having retired, the Committee went into camera. Resolved, That the following witnesses be summoned : Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Sir J. Carroll, Sir J. Findlay. Resolved, That Mr. J. Jones be permitted to examine these witnesses. The meeting now adjourned until Tuesday, the 22nd instant. Tuesday, the 22nd Day 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, Mr. Dickie, Hon. Mr. George, Hon. Mr. Luke, Mr. Mander, Mr. McCallum, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr. Statham. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Charles Herbert Treadwell, solicitor, was then called upon to give evidence. Mr. Statham then examined Mr. Treadwell. Mr. Bell then resumed the examination of Mr. Treadwell. Mr. Treadwell then read various ■documents. Mr. Statham then continued his examination of Mr. Treadwell. Hon. Mr. Anstey then questioned Mr. Treadwell. The Chairman (Hon. Mr. Rigg) asked Mr. Treadwell various questions re letters of Stafford and Treadwell. Mr. Jones questioned Mr. Treadwell; he also handed in exhibit, letter, Attorney-General Dr. Findlay to Treadwell (Exhibit QQQ) ; also exhibit, extracts, Evening Post, 29th September, 1911 (Exhibit RRR). Mr. Treadwell then retired. Mr. Arthur Vicker Sturtevant, District Land Registrar, New Plymouth, appeared as summoned, and produced the documents called for. Resolved, That Sir J. G. Ward and Sif James Carroll be summoned as witnesses. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the meeting do now adjourn until 10.30 a.m. to-morrow. Wednesday, the 23rd Day of Octobee, 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. Luke, Hon. Mr. Louisson, Mr. Mander, Mr. McCallum, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr. Statham. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk read a letter from Mr. Joshua Jones to the Chairman; also read a wire from Mr. Dalton, of Gisborne. The clerk also read a letter of apology from Sir J. G. Ward for his absence. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, to send a wire to Mr. R. C. Hughes, solicitor, New Plymouth, to obtain certain information; also that a letter be sent to Mr. Justice Edwards in reference to the same. The Hon. Mr. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister, was called to give evidence, and was examined by Mr. J. Jones. This concluded the Premier's evidence. Mr. Jones was re-examined by Mr. Bell. The Hon. Mr. Herries, Native Minister, was sworn and gave evidence, and was questioned by the following members of the Committee: Mr. Statham, Hon. Mr. Paul, Hon. Mr. Luke, Hon. Mr. Anstey, Mr. McCallum, also the petitioner, Mr. Jones. The Hon. Mr. Herries then retired. Mr. Jones then read passages from his evidence, which were corrected. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That this meeting do now adjourn until to-morrow. Thursday, the 24th Day op October, 1912. The Joint Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present : Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Anstev, Mr. Bell, Mr. Dickie, Hon. Mr. George, Hon. Mr. Luke, Hon. Mr Louisson, Mr. Mander, Mr. McCallum, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr, Statham, Hon. Captain Tucker. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed,