1.—7

4

Mr. Travers having appeared to give evidence on behalf of Messrs. Brogden and Sons, and Mr. Cave having suggested that Mr. Travers's evidence might be conveniently taken at once, Mr. Bell said, if it was for the special convenience of Mr. Travers, he would consent to the evidence being heard at this stage. The room having been" cleared, the Committee deliberated, and, on the motion of Hon. Dr. Pollen, Resolved, That Mr. Bell be requested to continue his address, and that, if Mr. Cave desired to examine Mr. Travers, a time be fixed for that purpose. The doors having been opened, Monday next, the 24th instant, was settled on as the day for Mr. Travers's evidence. Mr. Bell then resumed his address on behalf of the Crown, in the course of which it was proposed by Mr. Montgomery to consider whether Mr. Bell's line of argument was not beyond the scope of the inquiry. All strangers having withdrawn, the Committee decided, without division, that Mr. Bell should continue. Mr. Bell then resumed and concluded his address. The Committee then adjourned until Monday next, the 24th instant, at 11 a.m.

Monday, 24th July, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Pulton, Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. W. W. Johnston, Mr. Macandrew, Hon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Oliver, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Stevens (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. W. T. L. Travers, Mr. Eeid (the Solicitor-General), and Mr. Blair (Engineer in Charge, Middle Island), appeared and gave evidence. At 1 p.m. the Committee adjourned until Wednesday next, the 26th instant, at 11 a.m.

■Wednesday, 26th July, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Pulton, Hon. Mr. W. W. Johnston, Sir J. Hall, Mr. Macandrew, Hon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Oliver, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Stevens (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Bell, and with him Mr. P. Johnston, appeared for the Crown, and Mr. Cave for Messrs J. Brogden and Sons. Mr. Williams, engineer, in the employ of the Messrs. Brogden, appeared and gave evidence, in the course of which Mr. Bell objected to the witness going into details, further than to support the position that Messrs. Brogden and Sons had not been paid the full amount certified by the Engineer. Mr. Cave submitted that he was within his rights. Mr. Macandrew suggested that, as Mr. Bell had been allowed to bring evidence of the particularly favourable treatment of the Messrs. Brogden and Sons by Grovernment, the Committee could hardly stop Mr. Cave from endeavouring to rebut that evidence. All strangers having withdrawn, the Committee deliberated. The doors were then opened. Son. tlie Chairman: We understand that Mr. Bell objects to the line of examination which has been pursued by Mr. Cave, because it bears upon the question of the grounds on which the penalties were imposed. The reply of Mr. Cave we understand to be that his examination is intended to prove that sums certified by the Engineers have not been paid, and he considers that Mr. Bell has invited him to prove that. Have I correctly stated the case ? Mr. Bell and Mr. Cave : Tes. Son. the Chairman: Then the Committee would like to know from Mr. Cave how far he proposes to continue his examination in that direction ? Mr. Cave: I propose to confine myself to one or two cases to show that sums have been certified but not paid. Son. the Chairman : I understand your objection, Mr. Bell, to be that you do not wish this evidence to be gone on with unless you are allowed to bring forward evidence to rebut what may be said now. Mr. Bell : That is the case. I should like to be allowed to call rebutting evidence. Son. the Chairman: I understand that Mr. Bell, if allowed to bring rebutting evidence, would confine himself to evidence on these particular questions, and would not go beyond that. Mr. Bell: Yes. Son. the Chairman (to Mr. Cave) .- The Committee are not desirous of limiting you anymore than is necessary ; but at the same time they think that, if matter similar to that which is being brought out by this examination is imported into the case, Mr. Bell should be allowed to bring equally full evidence in answer to it. Mr. Cave : Ido not think that I can object to that. Of course Mr. Bell will have an opportunity of cross-examining my witnesses, and I can do the same with his. Son. the Chairman : Under the circumstances, I think that Mr. Cave may continue his examination of the witness (Mr. Williams), which was accordingly continued, and was concluded at 1.15 p.m. The Committee adjourned until Thursday, the 27th instant, at 10.30 a m.

TmjBSDAX, 27th July, 1882. The Committee met, pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Sir J. Hall, Hon. Mr. W. W. Johnston, Mr. Macandrew, Hon. Mr. Miller, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Oliver, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon, Mr. Stevens (Chairman).