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335. Hon. Mr. Hall."] Do they pay in advance? —Yes; if they did not pay in advance we should not supply them with the news. 930. Mr. Fulton.] With regard to the evidence given just now as to the first start of the Association, I should like to know whether all the papers in the colony were invited to be present at the meeting ?—No ; the committees of the Association and the Agency were there, and practically they represented all the papers. 337. Then I understand only a certain part of the Press was represented ?—The committees of the two associations practically represented all the subscribers to each, and all the papers were offered an opportunity to join. 338. Hon. Mr. Hall.] Who were the representatives of the evening papers ?—Mr. Beeves, of the Christchurch Star; Mr. Brett, representing the Star in Auckland; Mr. Briggs, representing the Christchurch Globe; Mr. Jago, the Dunedin Star; and Mr. Blundell, tho Wellington Post. 339. Practically, therefore, at that time everything was in the hands of the two committees?— Yes. 340. You say instructions were given to prepare a deed of association ?—Yes. 341. Do you happen to know the terms of that deed?—No; the committee did not say how ifc was to be drawn, but the chairman was to see the lawyers, and it was to be left in Mr. Reeves's hands to consult with them and write to the other members on the subject. 342. The arrangement leaves the present committee in power for two years?— That question was never discussed. 343. Mr. Bain.] I think you said, Mr. Grillon, that the committee made the classification. la there any appeal ? —No. 344. 1 suppose the committee have had a good many complaints as to classification ? —No; I think I may say we have only had one, which was from the Sou/Mand Times. I think the papers generally were agreeably surprised at the amount of subscription fees. 345. You say intimation of the intended proceeding was not sent to all the papers ?—Yes. 34G. And the committee holds office for two years ?—Yes. 347. The Chairman?^ Supposing a newspaper now wished to enter this Association, would the terms rest altogether with the committee ? —Yes, subject to the general resolutions. If it was in Dunedin or any other town, they would have to pay the entrance-fees set down here unless the committee met and decided otherwise, and the subscriptions would be the same as paid by the papers of the same class in the same town. 348. Is it a right of any paper to come in on these terms, or is it left to the Association to decide whether it will admit them or not? —It has a right to come in. 349. Have you had any applications from new newspapers in town ? —No. I have had a private letter from Mr. De Bourbel, of Christchurch, about a new paper starting there; but it came to nothing. 350. Has the committee power to exclude any paper now on the list so long as it fulfils the terms ? —No, it has not. 351. Hon. Mr. Hall.~\ The committee of the Association might suggest some rule which would enable the Government to make some concession to the Association upon terms which would enable them to make terms upon their own part with papers which are either not in the Association or which may be started hereafter. I think you have gathered that there is a feeling that, if any new concession is granted, it should be surrounded by something of the kind—some special agreement to prevent the existing papers having the entire monopoly; and it would be very desirable for your committee to consider this question and to make some proposal ? —lt is not easy to get our committee together, as the members reside iv different parts of the colony. 352. It is an important question, and it should be settled. Your chairman might make some proposal to this Committee ? —The matter has been settled to some extent in the agreement with lieuter which I have quoted. 353. It is rather with a view of satisfying the Committee that such suggestions should be made?—■ I will write to Mr. Reeves and ask him if he will make a proposal. 354. Mr. Barron.] I will just ask Mr. Q-illon if the reply sent to Mr. De Bourbel was that the £740 would have to be paid?—No; that sum would not have to be paid under any circumstances. In the first place it was an evening paper that was contemplated, and I told him that the entrance-fee would be £500, with a yearly subscription of £44. 355. The evening papers have to pay the wire-charges. If it had been a morning paper that was to have been started, I understand the entrance-fee would have been £500, and the usual special-wire rent of about £18 a month. That would have been about £5-l<o ? —Being an evening paper it would have had to pay £11 a quarter subscription. 356. The difference is the evening papers have to pay word-rates ? —Yes. 357. Mr. Ormonde] Mr. Gillon will understand the Committee insist upon this point. It is necessary before we can deaL with the question ?—Yes ; I will write to Mr. Beeves. 358. The Chairman.'] You can hand in a statement as soon as you have written it. Mr. Eekest E. Collins examined. 359. The Chairman.'] Would you please state the office you hold ? —I am the agent in New Zealand for Reuters Telegram Company (Limited). 360. This Committee is appointed by the House to inquire as to what further facilities can be given in the way of telegraphic communication to the public Press. Would you like to make any statement as to the present system, and whether any alteration could be made with advantage ? —1 should scarcely like to make any statement. 361. Only to answer questions, perhaps? —I should prefer to do so. I have not had much experience of the New Zealand system of telegraphy; still, I shall no doubt be able to answer any questions the Committee may choose to put to me. 362. AVhat are the facilities given to your Company with regard to this colony?—"We have no special facilities beyond those granted to the public and the Press.