1.—13.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Tuesday, 14th August, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Driver, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Steward, Mr. J. G. Wilson. The orders of reference dated the 3rd and 10th August were read. On the motion of Mr. Driver, seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Besolved, That Mr. Mason do take the chair. On the motion of Mr. Montgomery, Besolved, That Mr. J. G. Wilson do take the chair in the absence of Mr. Mason. On the motion of Mr. Driver, seconded by Mr. Montgomery, Besolved, That the Hansard reporter or reporters be summonded to appear before the Committee, and to bring note-books containing Mr. Dargaville's speech on the property-tax delivered on Tuesday, the 31st July, 1883. The Committee then adjourned till 11 a.m. on Thursday, the 16th August, 1883.

Thuesday, 16th August, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Mason (Chairman), Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Driver, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Steward, Mr. J. G. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The order of reference dated the 14th August, 1883, was read. Mr. Fisher, Mr. Drake, and Mr. W. A. Parkinson, Hansard reporters, "were present, and read over the notes taken by them of Mr. Dargaville's speech delivered on the 31st July, 1883. On the motion of Mr. Steward, Besolved, That the Chairman be directed to ascertain whether Mr, J. Grey, Hansard reporter, will be able to appear before the Committee at the next meeting; and, if not, that the Chairman shall take means to verify the report. The Committee then adjourned till 10 a.m. on Friday, the 17th August, 1883.

Feiday, 17th August, 1883. The Committee meeting lapsed for want of a quorum.

Monday, 20th August, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Mason (Chairman), Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Driver, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Steward, Mr. J. G. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman gave notice that he had verified the report of that part of Mr. Dargaville's speech, delivered on the 31st July, taken down by Mr. Grey, Hansard reporter. He read out that portion of the speech, and pointed out the corrections made. On the motion of Mr. Driver, Besolved, That the uncorrected report of the speech of Mr. Dargaville, made in the House on the 31st July, 1883, has been verified by the examination of the reporters' notes, and found to be substantially a correct report. Besolved, That the Committee is of opinion that the speech of Mr. Dargaville on the 31st July, 1883, does impute political corruption against the Premier and Treasurer, and that it also imputes personal dishonour to the Treasurer, and is capable of being interpreted as imputing personal dishonour to the Premier. The Committee adjourned till 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the 21st August, 1883.

Thuesday, 16th August, 1833. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Mason (Chairman), Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Driver, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Steward, Mr. J. G. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Dargaville was present and gave evidence. In answer to that part of the resolution passed by the Committee on Monday, the 20th August, 1883, namely, "That the Committee is of opinion that the speech of Mr. Dargaville on the 31st July, 1883, does impute personal dishonour to the Treasurer, and is capable of being interpreted as imputing personal dishonour to the Premier," Mr. Dargaville made the following statement: "I did not intend to convey any personal imputation of dishonesty against the Premier and Treasurer, and I only regret that the Committee consider the words could bear such an interpretation." The Committee then adjourned till 11 a.m. on Thursday, the 23rd August, 1883.

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