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I.—lo

Thuesday, 20th August, 1885. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Mr. Bruce, Mr. Buckland, Colonel Fraser, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Hursthouse, Mr. Moss, Captain Bussell, Hon. Mr. Stout, Captain Sutter. Mr. Eliott, Under-Secretary for Mines, attended and gave evidence. Trie Committee then adjourned till Tuesday, the 25th August, at 11 a.m.; trie Chairman in the meantime to ask for one week's extension of time to report.

Tuesday, 25th August, 1885. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Mr. Bruce, Mr. Buckland, Colonel Fraser, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Hursthouse, Mr. Moss, Captain Bussell, Hon. Mr. Stout, Captain Sutter. A letter from Mr. Eliott, Under-Secretary for Mines, dated the 20th August, 1885, concerniug correspondence with Watson and party, was read. Besolved, That the inquiry into the alleged breach of the Disqualification Act by Mr. Seddon be confined to the Kumara Sludge-channel No. 2. The Chairman read through an extract of papers in connection with the case, which was corrected by members and Mr. Seddon. The Committee then adjourned till Thursday, the 27tri August, at 11 a.m.

Thursday, 27th August, 1885. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Mr. Bruce, Mr. J. C. Buckland, Colonel Fraser, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Hursthouse, Captain Bussell, Hon. Mr. Stout, Captain Sutter. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Besolved, That the under-mentioned questions be asked, by telegram, of the Clerk and Eegistrar to the Warden's Court, Kumara :—■ 1. When Mr. Seddon applied (September, 1883) for subsidy to private parties willing to construct tail-race to relieve sludge-channel, was he one of trie said parties? 2. When Watson and party applied (November, 1883), was Mr. Seddon one of Watson's party? 3. When Watson again applied (by letter sth June, 1884, handed to trie department by Mr. Seddon, lOtri September, 1884), was Mr. Seddon one of Watson's party? 4. Was Watson's claim ever assigned to Mr. Seddon and otriers: if so, when, and who were the others ? 5. Did Mr. Seddon and six others apply (as stated by Gow, sth May, 1885) to be registered as proprietors of Channel No. 2 : if so, when ? 6. Was there anything special in such application showing that Mr. Seddon was not an interested party : if so, state the precise words ? 7. Were they so registered? 8. Is Tunnel Tail-race No. 37073 the same as Kumara Sludge-channel No. 2 ? 9. Was the said tail-race transferred from Watson and otriers to Mr. Seddon and others: if so, when? 10. What fees (if any) will be payable by parties using Channel No. 2 ? 11. Who will be entitled to such fees (if any) ? 12. Is Mr. Seddon a partner in any claims whicri will use the said channel: if so, what are the names of such claims, and when did he become a partner ? 13. Are there any facts in connection with his partnership in such claims to show that he is not an interested party : if so, state the precise words ? 14. Were regulations made under section 25 of the regulations in force in September, 1883, with respect to Kumara Sludge-channel No. 1 ? 15. Has Mr. Seddon ever held a permit for use of Sludge-channel No. 1? Inquire of Manager, if necessary. 16. Have any regulations been made for charging fees for use of Channel No. 2? 17. Have any tail-races been registered or applied for to connect with Channel No. 2? 18. State the description of No. 37073 Tail-race : starting point, termination point, course, dimensions and length, and date when first registered. Besolved, That Mr. Eliott be summoned to attend at the next meeting of the Committee, and then to inform the Committee as to the amount of progress-payments made on account of Sludgechannel No. 2, and to whom such payments have been made. Besolved, That the Committee adjourn to Monday, the 31st August, at 11 a.m.

Monday, 31st August, 1885. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Mr. Bruce, Mr. J. C. Buckland, Colonel Fraser, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Hursthouse, Captain Bussed, Captain Sutter. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Eliott, Under-Secretary, was further examined and his evidence taken down by shorthand reporter, was thanked and withdrew.