1.—5

4

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Order of reference, dated the 13th July, 1880, granting extension of time, read. Paper dated the 14th July, 1880, from Mr. E. T. Gillon, giving detailed information as to the constitution of the United Press Association, read. (Vide Appendix A, No. 3.) Also a letter dated the 14th July, 1880, from Mr. Gillon, was read, requesting permission to see the evidence given before the Committee, which request was complied with. (Vide Appendix A, No. 4.) Also the following communications, containing suggestions as to what further facilities should be granted to the public Press for the use of the telegraph : — Telegram dated the 9th July, 1880, from Messrs. Galvin and Co., proprietors of the Hawera and Normanby Star. (Vide Appendix B, No. 10.) Letter dated the 14th July, 1880, from Mr. Gilbert Carson, proprietor of the TVanganui Chronicle. (Vide Appendix B, No. 12.) The Committee then adjourned.

Fktdat, 23kd July, 1880. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Bain, Mr. Barron, Mr. Fulton, Hon. Mr. Gisborne (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, and Mr. Shephard. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Clerk, having been called upon to explain the cause of delay in getting the evidence to date printed for circulation among the members of the Committee, stated that the evidence taken on the 13th July had not yet been obtained from the extra shorthand writer who took notes of the same, although repeated applications had been made for the transcripts. A- letter dated the 17th July, 1880, from Mr. W. Reeves on the subject of admittance-fees to the United Press Association, was read. (Vide Appendix A, No. 5.) Mr. E. T. Gillon, manager of the United Press Association, requested, and was allowed, to give further evidence before the Committee. Mr. J. C. Harris, proprietor of the Neio Zealand Times, attended and gave evidence. Mr. A.. T. Maginnity, Secretary of Telegraphs, was again in attendance, and handed in a statement, dated the 21fet July, 1880, jointly signed by Dr. Lemon and himself, which was ordered to be printed and circulated among the members of the Committee. (Vide Appendix C, No. 14.) The Committee then adjourned.

Monday, 2nd August, 1880. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Bain, Mr. Barren, Mr. J. T. Fisher, Mr. Fulton, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, and Mr Shephard. In the absence of the Hon. Mr. Gisborne, it^ was Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Bain, That Mr. Fulton take the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Gisborne having arrived, Mr. Fulton vacated the chair. A memorandum dated the 2nd August, 18S0, jointly signed by Mr. C. Rous Marten and Mr. F. McCarthy, as representing the two Wellington evening newspapers, was read. (Vide Appendix B, No. 13.) Also a memorandum dated the 27th July, 1880, jointly signed by Dr. Lemon and Mr. A. T. Maginnity, setting forth the amount Government should receive in consideration of the use of a special wire for Press purposes, was read. {Vide Appendix C, No. 15.) Mr. Bain moved, and the question was proposed, "That the Government be authorized to renew the lease of the special wire to the Press Association, to be terminable by notice of six months from either party, at a charge of £3,000 per annum. The hours to be as at present, and no other conditions to be imposed than those now existing. The agreement to be published in the Neio Zealand Gazette, with the intimation that any other association or individual may make a similar agreement." And the question being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 1. —Mr. Bain. Noes, B.—Mr. Barron, Mr. J. T. Fisher, Mr. Fulton, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Shephard. So it passed in the negative. On motion of Mr. Ormond, Resolved, That the special-wire system be continued by agreement for a term not exceeding two years, such agreement to be terminable during that time by six months' notice on either side. Mr. Ormond moved, and the question was proposed, " That the sum to be paid be £2,000 per annum, the time of closing to be one hour earlier than at present, except during the session and on other special occasions as now arranged." Moved by Mr. Murray, That the question be amended by omitting "£2,000," and inserting " £2,500 " in lieu thereof. And the question being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 4.—Mr. Barron, Mr. J. T. Fisher, Mr. Ireland, Mr. Murray. Noes, 4. —Mr. Fulton, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Shephard. And the numbers being equal, the Chairman gave his casting vote with the Noes. So it passed in the negative. And the original question being again proposed, Mr. Barron moved, That the following words be added at the end thereof: "or, at the option of the Association, the payment to be £3,000 per annum, with the present hours."