H.—3

Wednesday, Bth Apeil, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Mr. Robert Chisenhall Hamerton, Public Trustee, gave evidence. A report was received from the Auckland agency, and the same was ordered to be printed along with other reports. Mr. Ross, of Wellington, handed to the Commissioners a complaint, in writing, which he wished to be made against the Public Trust Office. The Commissioners informed Mr. Ross that his complaint would be duly considered, and that he would be communicated with on the subject. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock.

Thubsday, 9th Apeil, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present; The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Besolved, That the Public Trustee be requested to furnish a return of all properties taken by him under section 10 of " The Public Trust Office Act, 1876." A report from the agent at Blenheim was received and ordered to be printed. Mr. Hamerton, Public Trustee, gave further evidence. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock.

Friday, 10th Apeil, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. The secretary was instructed to write to the Controller and Auditor-General inquiring when the Commissioners were likely to be supplied with the information applied for in the secretary's letter dated the 4th instant. Several reports from agents of the Public Trust Office were received, and ordered to be printed. A letter was read from Mr. Lloyd Jones (with several enclosures), complaining of the action of the Public Trust Office in the estate of Frank Walpole Evans, deceased. The secretary was instructed to send the letter and the enclosures to the Public Trustee for his remarks thereon. Mr. R. C. Hamerton, Public Trustee, gave further evidence. Upon the conclusion of his statement in chief, the witness asked whether he would be at liberty to alter and amend the proofsheets. The Chairman informed Mr. Hamerton that the Commissioners desired to give him every privilege and facility in correcting any statements he had made, and in supplementing anything he had to say in reference to any statement he had made or evidence he had given, before the Commissioners finally closed the inquiry. The proof-sheets of his statements and evidence were handed to him for correction as they were received from the Government Printing Office. The proofs to be returned to the secretary by Mr. Hamerton, and material alterations to be submitted to the Commissioners for their approval. Mr. Moginie, Accountant in the Public Trust Office, transmitted a list of ledgers now in use in the office. The Chairman, seeing that the number was twenty-two, sent for Mr. Moginie and asked him if he had not made a mistake, or had misunderstood what was wanted. Mr. Moginie said he understood perfectly what the request was, and he had to inform the Commissioners that all these books were in use —that was to say, contained live balances. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock.

Saturday, 11th April, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrev, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Mr. R. C. Hamerton gave further evidence. The Commission adjourned at 1 o'clock.

Monday, 18th April, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Besolved, That a return be furnished showing the extra clerical labour employed in the Public Trust Office, Wellington, since the Commissioners began their sittings, giving the name of each officer so employed, the date on which each officer commenced his duty, the amount of remuneration, the special work upon which each has been employed from day to day, the date when the services of such officer were dispensed with, if any have been dispensed with up to the present date. Besolved, That a return be furnished showing the Expenses Account of the Public Trust Office during the past three years—the salaries of officers, petty charges, &c, contingent on the working of the Head Office. Letters were read from Messrs. Stout, Mondy, and Sim, A. Garden, John McGuigan, S. Andrews, and James Vogan, and were referred £0 the Public Trustee for his remarks thereon. Reports were received from Mr. Moginie (Accountant) and other heads of departments in the Public Trust Office, Wellington. Mr. R. C. Hamerton, Public Trustee, gave further evidence. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock.

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