1.—13.

Mr. D. M. Luckie attended and gave evidence, taken down in shorthand. He also read papers which he was authorized to produce relative to evidence given at previous examination. Mr. Gray, Secretary for the Post Office Savings Bank, attended, and gave evidence, taken down by shorthand reporter, Mr. J. C. Gavin attended, and gave evidence, taken down by shorthand reporter. Two opinions of the Solicitor-General were then read to the Committee, one dated the 27th August, 1883, and the other the 30th August, 1883. Another opinion of the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General, during the premiership of Sir George Grey, dated the 20th November, 1878, was read to the Committee. The room was then cleared for deliberation, when the following resolution was carried: " That the Committee be supplied as early as practicable with printed copies of evidence and papers to be furnished to each member." The meeting then adjourned till 10 a.m., on Monday, the 3rd September, 1883.

Monday, 3kd Septembeb, 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. The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer attended, and said that either he or the Premier would be happy to attend if necessary when called to answer any questions relative either to the charges already brought against him, or any other questions that might be asked. Mr. Dargaville stated that he wished to say nothing further than what he had already said, and then left the room. The Committee then deliberated, and some discussion took place as regards the evidence, when the Chairman was requested to send the following letter to Mr. Dargaville : " 3rd September, 1853.— Sir, —Will you immediately return all the copies of evidence for correction.—Yours truly, Thomas Mason. —J. M. Dargaville, Esq., M.H.E." To which the following answer was sent: " Memorandum for Mr. Mason. —Unfortunately, I have distributed all except two amongst my friends. These two I shall retain meantime.—J. M. D. — 3rd September, 1883." Resolved, That, when the evidence is corrected, the Chairman be the only one who shall see a copy of the evidence, except with his authority. On the motion of Mr. Steward, Resolved, That the following note be printed at the head of the evidence : " Note. —The matter appearing in ordinary roman and erasure type is as transcribed from the shorthand notes; that in erasure type and in italics, respectively, showing omissions, substitutions, and amendments subsequently made, at the desire of the witnesses, as corrections of their evidence." Resolved, That the Chairman be requested to ask Mr. Dargaville for the omission on page 14 of evidence. The omission was supplied as follows : " Thereby giving undue advantages to one banking establishment closely allied with the present Administration." The Committee then deliberated on the evidence, and adjourned till 11 a.m. on Tuesday, the 4th September, 1883.

Tuesday, 4th September, 1883. The Committee 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 minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee then deliberated and agreed to the report. Resolved, That the Chairman be instructed to present the report, accompanied with the minutes and evidence, and to move that they be printed, and that the report be read. The Committee then adjourned sine die.

V