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V

The Chairman reported and read the following correspondence : Telegrams to A. Alison, jun., T. L. White, F. Cooper, and Mr. Melville; telegrams from G. Hedley and Alison, Jan.; and letters from E, Mitchelson and Messrs. Ashton and Son. The Chairman was requested to telegraph to Mr. W. Aitken for valuation of Stark's property in January last sold in one block for cash, and to Mr. Wilkinson for date and further particulars. On the motion of Dr. Newman, Besolved, That the Hon. Mr. Eichardson and Mr. Godden be examined to-morrow. The Committee adjourned till Wednesday, the 21st July, at 11 o'clock.

Wednesday, 21st July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Eichardson attended, and was examined on oath. Mr. Godden and Mr. Brewer attended, and were examined on oath. The Chairman reported and read the following correspondence : Telegrams from the Chairman to W. Wilkinson, W. Aitken, T. L. White, and S. Cochrane and Son; telegrams to the Chairman from T. L. White, T. Melville, W. Aitken, Theo. Cooper, T. L. White, and W. Wilkinson. On the motion of Mr. Cowan, Besolved, That the question of confirming the minutes of the 19th July be postponed until Mr. Holmes and Mr. Gore, who were present at the meeting, be asked as to their recollection of the facts. The Committee adjourned till Thursday, the 22nd July, at 11 o'clock.

Thuesday, 22nd July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. ■Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Gore, Mr. Peacock, Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Seaman attended, and was examined on oath. The Chairman reported and read telegram from Messrs. Cochrane and Son. The Committee adjourned till Friday, the 23rd July, at 11 o'clock.

Feiday, 23ed July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Dargaville's amendment of the 20th July, 1886, was put, and the Committee divided as follow: — Ayes. 1. —Mr. Dargaville. Noes, 3.- —Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Wilson. And the question being put, That the minutes of the 19th July, 1886, be confirmed, it was resolved in the affirmative. The Committee adjourned till Monday, the 26th July, at 11 o'clock.

Monday, 26th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read a telegram from Mr. Eoss. On the motion of Mr. Montgomery, Besolved, That the Committee meet on Thursday, the 29th July, 1886, to consider the purchase of Stark's property. The Committee adjourned to Tuesday, the 27th July, at 11 o'clock.

Tuesday, 27th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Mr. Cowan. There being no quorum, the Chairman adjourned the meeting till Wednesday, the 28th July, at 11 o'clock.

Feiday, 30th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major- Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Gore, Mr. Levestam, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Holmes.

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