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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Friday, 19th September, 1884. The Joint Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Harper, Mr. Moss, lion. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Captain Eussell, Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, Hon. Mr. Williamson, and Hon. Colonel Whitmore. On the motion of Hon. Mr. Reynolds, Resolved, That the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel bo appointed Chairman. A draft Bill was submitted by the Chairman. On the motion of the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, Resolved, That two copies of the Bill be printed and circulated amongst the members of the Committee only. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Resolved, That the words " Strictly confidential" be printed as a heading to the Bill, and that the Bill be returned to the Clerk of the Committee by <>ach member when read. The Committee then adjourned.

Monday, 6th October, 1884. The Joint Committoe met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Sir Julius Vogel (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Campbell, Hon Captain Frascr, Mr. Harper, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Moss, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon Mr. Reynolds, Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, and Hon. Mr. Williamson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee took into consideration the draft of the New Zealand International South Sea Trading Company Bill. Hon. Mr. Eeynolds moved, That this Bill be recommended to the House with such amend- . ments as may be made in its clauses by the Committee. Tho Committee divided :— Ayes, 7. —Hon. Mr. Campbell, Hon. Captain Fraser, Mr. Harper, Mr. Larnach, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Hon. Mr. Williamson. Noes, 2.—Mr. Moss, Hon. Mr. Watorhouse. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Preamble postponed. Clauses 1 to 3 read and agreed to. Clause 4 read. Amendment proposed, to transpose and conjoin subsections (/;.) and (a.), and to add at the end of (b.) the words " and thereby discourago tho labour traffic" (Mr. Harper.) Amendment agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 5 read and agreed to. Clause 6 read. Amendment proposed to add the following words: "And shall be elected by the electoral body, consisting of twenty-five persons, to be appointed by tho Governor for the purpose, and also by nomination. Directors, whether nominated or elected, shall not bo subject to the Disqualification Act, provided they are unpaid." Amendment agreed to. Clause iis amended agreed to. Clause V read. Amendment proposod: In the second paragraph, after the word "holding," to insert the words " one hundred." In the same paragraph, after the word " shares," to insert the words " But this shall not apply to the first directors until three months after their appointment or election. Nominated directors need not hold shares." Amendments agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clauses 8 to 10 read and agreed to. Clause 11 read. Amendment proposed to add the following w : ords: "A refund of half profits over seven per centum shall be paid until the whole advance be repaid." Clauses 12 and 13 read and agreed to. Clause 14 negatived. Clause 15 read and agreed to. Preamble read and agreed to. llcsolvcd, That tho Bill as amended be submitted to a sub-Committee, consisting of the Chairman, the Hon. Dr. Pollen, and Mr. Harper, with authority to have the Bill drafted in accordance with the amendments adopted by the Committee, and to report the Bill so amended, and recommend its adoption by tho House. The Committee then adjourned.

. T?£, By Authority: GBOBGB DIDBBUHY, Government Printer, Welliugton.—lBB4.

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