I.—G

52

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Thursday, 20th July, 1876. Present : Mr. Kelly in the Chair. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Murray, Mr. Gibbs, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Eichmond, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Swanson. Petitioner attended and made a statement of his case. Consideration adjourned.

TnuRSDAY, 27th July, 1876. * Present: Mr. Kelly in the Chair. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Murray, Mr. Dignan, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Eichmond, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Swanson. Mr. Hislop, Tho Hon. Sir Julius Vogel attended and gave evidence. Mr. Phillips attended. Consideration adjourned.

Thursday, 3rd August, 1876. Present : Mr. Kelly in the Chair. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Murray, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Eichmond, Mr. Hamlin, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Swanson. Mr. Phillips attended and gave evidence. Consideration adjourned.

Tuesday, 22nd August, 1876. Present: Mr. Kelly in the Chair. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Murray, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Eichmond, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Shrimski, Hon. G. McLean, Mr. Swanson. Tho Hon. Sir Julius Vogel attended and gave evidence. Mr. Phillips attended and gave evidence. Consideration adjourned.

Thursday, 31st August, 1876. Peesent: Mr. Kelly in the Chair. Mr. Bryce, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Gibbs, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Eichmond, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Shrimski, Hon. G. McLean, Mr. Swanson. Mr. Murray, Mr. Eichmond moved, That the Committee, having given the petitioner's case a most full and careful investigation, find that the petitioner undoubtedly did give Sir Julius Vogel information with reference to the South Sea Islands and their trade, &c. ; and it appears from the evidence that, if advantage had been taken of the information he had supplied to form a trading company, which was at that time