17

L—l 7

The clerk read copies of a telegram and a letter sent to Mr. R. C. Hughes, solicitor, New Plymouth, and Mr. Justice Edwards respectively. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the time allowed the Joshua Jones Claims Committee in which to bring up its report be extended by seven days. The Press representatives having retired, the Committee went into camera. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. George, That the Chairman, Mr. Bell, Mr. Statham, and the Hon. Mr. Paul be formed into a sub-committee to draft a report, to be submitted to the Committee on Tuesday, the 29th, at 11 o'clock. The Committee then adjourned until 5.30 p.m. The meeting resumed at the hour appointed. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward was then sworn and gave evidence, and the following members questioned him: Mr. MeCallum, Hon. Mi-. Aristey, Hon. Mr. Nuke, Hon. Captain Tucker, and also Mr. Joshua Jones, the petitioner. Resolved, That thin meeting do now adjourn till 12 noon to-morrow. Friday, the 25th Dat of October, 1912. The Joint Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 12 o'clock noon. Present : Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Hon. Mr. Anstey, Mr. Bell, Mr. Dickie, Hon. Mr. George, Mr. McCallum, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr. Statham. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The order of reference of the Legislative Council, " That the time for bringing up the final report of the Joshua Jones Claims Committee be further extended seven days." The order of reference of the House of Representatives, " That seven days within which to bring up its report of Joshua Jones Claims Committee " be granted. The clerk read a copy of document of Mr. Justice Edwards re a caveat. Mr. Joshua Jones then continued his examination of the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The R.ight Hon. Sir J. G. Ward was then examined by the following members of the Committee : Mr. Bell and Mr. Statham. Mr. Bell then requestioned Sir Joseph Ward; Mr. Jones also requestioned Sir Joseph Ward. Resolved, That this meeting do now adjourn until 5.80 this afternoon. The meeting resumed at 5.30. The clerk was instructed to obtain the original telegram written by Mr. Treadwell, signed by Sir J. Carroll, and sent to Sir J. G. Ward at Invercargill. Mr. Joseph Edwin Dalton, Licensed Interpreter, was sworn, and gave evidence. Mr. Jones examined Mr. Dalton, and handed in Exhibit SSS Mr. Dalton was examined by the following members of the Committee : Mr. Statham, Mr. McCallum. and the Chairman. The Committee adjourned until Tuesday, 29th October. SUB-COMMITTEE. Tuesday, the 29th Day of October, 1912. The Committee met at 10 o'clock, pursuant to notice. Present : Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Mr. Bell, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr. Statham. The Committee then proceeded to consider the evidence and to draft their report. The hour being 11 a.m., the Committee then adjourned until 10 a.m. to-morrow. JOINT COMMITTEE. Tuesday, the 29th Day of October, 1912. The Joint Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 11 o'clock. Present: Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Mr. Anderson, Hon. Mr. Anstey, Mr. Bell, 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. The clerk read a letter from Mr. Hughes, solicitor, of New Plymouth. The clerk read a summary of Mr. Joshua Jones's claims. Resolved, That the sub-committee be granted an extra two days' extension of time to draft out their report. Resolved, That this Committee do now adjourn until Thursday, the 31st October, 1912, at 11 a.m. SUB-COMMITTEE. Wednesday, the 30th Day of October, 1912. The Committee met at 10 o'clock, pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Mr. Rigg (Chairman), Mr. Bell, Hon. Mr. Paul, Mr. Statham. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The sub-committee then proceeded to consider the evidence and to draft their report. At 1.30 o'clock it was resolved, That this meeting do now adjourn until 5 o'clock tk : s afternoon.

3—l. 17.