1.—6

54

So it was resolved in the Affirmative. The letter was read as follows \ — " Sir,— " Wellington, 31st August, 1876. " I am informed that the Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, Mr. Thomas Kelly, is packing the Committee, in order to bring down a report adverse to my petition. Let me beg of you to allow those gentlemen who have heard the whole case to decide upon its merits. I have no desire to carry the matter beyond the Committee; but if members of the Ministry attend simply to vote against me, then I shall be compelled to take measures to prevent your leaving the colony until tho matter be re-investigated. Allow me at the same time to recall the original position of this matter to your recollection. I submitted the plan to you. Tou were struck with the idea, and sent for me to explain it. Tou told me to be quiet about it. Tou determined to carry it out yourself. Tou came to Auckland ; found fault with all I did ; satisfied yourself with having promised me compensation, and told me to go about my business. Now what right had you to take the plan, or treat me as you have done ? " I have, &c, " Coleman Phillips. " The Hon. Sir J. Vogel, K.C.M.G." Mr. Gibbs moved, That the implied charge made by Mr. Phillips in his letter to the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, of the Chairman having packed the Committee, is unfounded. Mr. Murray moved, as an amendment, That all the words after the word " that" be struck out, and the following inserted: —"the Chairman is free from the imputation of packing the Committee." The amendment was negatived. The original motion was then put and carried. Mr. Hislop's amendment, That after the words " £150 " the following words be added: —" and that a sum not exceeding £350 be given him for his other expenses " was put. The Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows : — Ayes, 6. Noes, 6. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Murray, Mr. Hislop, Hon. G. McLean, Mr. Shrimski, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Swanson, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Tole. Mr. Eichmond. The Chairman gave his casting vote with the Noes ; so it passed in the Negative. Mr. Murray moved, That after the words " £150 " the following words be added:—" that a sum not exceeding £150 be given him for his other expenses." Mr. Hislop moved, That the words "not exceeding" be struck out, and the word "of" substituted. Carried. Mr. Murray's motion as amended was put and carried. The original motion as amended was then put as follows: —" That it has been shown that Mr. Phillips supplied information relative to the Polynesian scheme, that he is entitled to the expenses he incurred in coming to Wellington in reference to that subject not exceeding £150, and that a sum of £150 be given him for his other expenses. The Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 7. • Noes, 5. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Hamlin, Hon. G. McLean, Mr. Hislop, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Shrimski, Mr. Eichmond. Mr. Swanson, Mr. Tole. So it was resolved in the Affirmative.