1.—13.

Thursday, 23rd 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. Mr. Dargaville attended. Mr. Dargaville was asked by the Chairman the following questions : 1. Do you intend to go outside the extracts which have been read over to you, and on which the Committee arrived at the conclusion stated to you? (See page 4, question 52.) 2. Do you wish to make any statement bearing on the charge of political corruption? (See question 61.) 3. Do you intend to call witnessess to prove the charge ? (See question 65.) 4. And when will you be prepared to produce the evidence? (See question 67.) On the motion of Mr. Steward, Besolved, That the Chairman be requested to ask for extension of time for reporting for one week. On the motion of Mr. Macandrew, Besolved, That the Committee do adjourn till 11 a.m. on Monday, the 27th August, when Mr. Dargaville said he would be prepared to produce evidence.

Monday, 27th 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 Hon. the Premier, the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, and Mr. Dargaville also attended the meeting. Mr. Dargaville read charge No. las follows: That the Government lent a sum of £225,000 of trust funds, over which the Treasurer has control, to the Bank of New Zealand, without security, for a term of years, in a manner not contemplated by the law, thereby giving undue advantages to one banking establishment closely allied with the present Admininstration. Further, that Parliament has not yet been informed of the transaction. The room was then cleared for deliberation, when the following resolution was passed : " That the Committee will proceed to-day with the inquiry into the charge at present formulated, and will proceed to-morrow with the same, if needed, and, if time allow, any further charges; but will require any additional charges beyond then to be submitted in general terms to the Committee not later than Wednesday, before 11 a.m." Mr. C. G. Knight, Actuary, attended and gave evidence, taken down by shorthand reporter, after which he was released from further attendance. Besolved, That Mr. Dargaville give the Chairman notice each day as to witnesses he may require for attendance at next meeting, and to produce any documents that may assist in giving such evidence. The meeting was then adjourned till 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the 28th August, 1883.

Tuesday, 28th August, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present:. Mr. Mason (Chairman), Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Driver, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Mont" gomery, Mr. Steward, and Mr. J. G. Wilson. The Hon. Major Atkinson and Mr. Dargaville both attended. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Besolved, That the Chairman be instructed to summon the following gentlemen : D. M. Luckie, Commissioner of Annuities; E. C. Hamerton, Public Trustee; W. Gray, Post Office Savings Bank; J. C. Gavin, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Public Debts Sinking Fund, to appear at I Committee-room, at 11 a.m. to-morrow, the 29th August, 1883, and to produce Orders in Council having reference to investment of trust funds since 1877 of their respective departments. The meeting was then adjourned till 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the 29th August, 1883.

Wednesday, 29th August, 1883. The Committe met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Mason (Chairman), Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Driver, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Steward, and Mr. J. G. Wilson. The Hon. Major Atkinson and Mr. Dargaville were present; The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmedi The minute re formulating further charges was then read by the Chairman to Mr. Dargaville i Mr. D. M. Luckie attended and gave evidence, taken down by shorthand reporter; The meeting was then adjourned till 11 a.m. on Thursday, the 30th August; 1883;

Thubsday, 30th 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 Hon. Major Atkinson and Mr. Dargaville attended, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

IV