XXIV

H.—3

Besolved, That Mr. Loughrey be asked to inquire into the working of the branch of the Public Trust Office in Christchurch, and to gather any information in his power while in that city in reference to the business of the Trust Office. The Commission, after the examination of books and papers, adjourned at 5 o'clock, resumed at 8, and adjourned at 11 o'clock.

Satueday, 23ed May, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Mr. R. C. Hamerton, Public Trustee, gave further evidence. The Hon. Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., attended, at the request of the Commissioners, and made a statement with regard to his opinion re contributory mortgages, &c. A letter, dated the 22nd May, was read from the Secretary of the Cabinet in reply to the Commissioner's request made on the same day, that the term of the Commission should be extended for one month, it having been found impossible to report fully in the absence of certain returns now in course of preparation by the Public Trust Office, and which the Commissioners had been informed will take the Trust Office staff some three weeks to prepare. The reply from the Secretary to the Cabinet was to the effect that His Excellency the Governor would be advised to extend the time within which the report of the Commissioners should be made for fourteen days from the 27th May, instead of four weeks, as applied for by the Commissioners. The Commission adjourned at 1 o'clock.

Tuesday, 26th May, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock, resumed'at 8, and adjourned at 11 o'clock.

Wednesday, 27th May, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), and A. Loughrey, Esq. Besolved, That, as the secretary had to proceed South, Mr. W. Mitchell be appointed actingsecretary during his absence. Mr. Loughrey reported that he had spent some time in the office of the Christchurch agent, Mr. Hamilton, and discussed with that officer several matters in connection with the business of the Department. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock, resumed at 8, and adjourned at 11 o'clock.

Thursday, 28th May, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), and A. Loughrey, Esq. Mr. Moginie, Accountant, and Mr. Hamerton, Public Trustee, gave further evidence. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock, resumed at 8, and adjourned at 11 o'clock.

Friday, 29th May, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R., and A. Loughrey, Esq. The Commissioners were engaged in the examination of letters of complaint and returns furnished. Besolved, That the Public Trustee furnish to the Commissioners, as early as possible, copy of account sales and other charges made through Mr. Brookfield, of Auckland, on account of the sale of Chambers's or Clarke's mortgage in the estate of Meurant. Besolved, That the Public Trustee obtain, as early as possible, from the Property-tax Commissioner a return of all payments made by the Public Trustee on account of property-tax for the last three years, giving the dates of payment, the value of each property, and the name of the property. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock, resumed at 8, and adjourned at 11 o'clock.

Saturday, 30th May, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R., and A. Loughrey, Esq. The Commissioners were occupied in collecting and examining the evidence. The Commission adjourned at 1 o'clock.

Monday, Ist June, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J.-M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R., and A. Loughrey, Esq. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock, resumed at 8, and adjourned at 11 o'clock.