1.—6

6

E. Stations and Freeholds Assets Company at 31st March. F. Freeholds beyond New Zealand. G. Trading concerns. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, That this Committee do now deliberate upon the foregoing statements. And, at the request of the Committee, all strangers withdrew, and the Committee, after having considered the statements aforesaid, adjourned at 5 p.m., the date of next meeting to be left with Mr. Chairman.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. Wednesday, 21st August, 1895. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 11 o'clock. Present: Hon. Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Stevens, Hon. Mr. Kelly, Hon. Mr. McLean, Hon. Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Dr. Grace, Hon. Mr. Jennings, Hon. Mr. Ormond, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Mr. Ward, Hon. Mr. McKenzie, Captain Eussell, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Pinkerton, Mr. Millar. Orders of reference read, Select Committee and extra members. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Resolved, on motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Watson and Mr. Walter Johnston were requested to attend. Mr. Chairman laid upon the table combined balance-sheets Bank, of New Zealand Estates Company and Auckland Agricultural Company, including Matamata, &c, at 31st March, 1895; book-values ; exhibit H. The question having arisen as to the desirability of having a shorthand reporter, after some discussion it was postponed until to-morrow, Mr. Chairman in the meantime to consult the Hon. Mr. Speaker of the House of Eepresentatives, and the Hon. Mr. Speaker of the Council, with a view to getting their opinion. Resolved, That Mr. Chairman, Mr. Buchanan, Chairman House of Eepresentatives Committee, do move in the Council and House respectively, That this Committee have leave to sit during the sitting of the House. Mr. Watson attended, and was examined by Mr. Chairman, and gave evidence. Mr. Ward laid a letter on the table from the President of the Bank of New Zealand, and the same was read. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Ward, the Committee then adjourned (1.15 p.m.) to 4 o'clock. The Committee resumed at 4 o'clock. Present: The Hon. Mr. Bowen, the Hon. Mr. Stevens, the Hon. Mr. Kelly, the Hon. Mr. McLean, the Hon. Mr. Montgomery, the Hon. Mr. Jennings, the Hon. Mr. Ormond, the Hon. Mr. Walker, the Hon. Dr. Grace, the Hon. Mr. Seddon, the Hon. Mr. Ward, the Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Captain Eussell, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Pinkerton, Mr. Millar, Mr. Fraser. Mr. Watson was present, and was again examined by Mr. Chairman, and gave further evidence. Mr. Watson was requested to be present at the adjourned meeting, to be held at 8 p.m. this evening, and to bring Mr. Booth and Mr. Johnston with him. On the motion of Mr. Ward, the Committee then adjourned to 6 p.m. The Committee resumed at 8 p.m. Present: The Hon. Mr. Bowen, the Hon. Mr. Stevens, the Hon. Mr. Kelly, the Hon. Mr. McLean, the Hon. Mr. Montgomery, the Hon. Mr. Jennings, the Hon. Mr. Ormond, the Hon. Dr. Grace, the Hon. Mr. Walker, the Hon. Mr. Seddon, the Hon. Mr. Ward, the Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Captain Eussell, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Pinkerton, Mr. Millar. The Hon. Mr. Ward explained that it had been arranged to have Mr. Andrews, Government shorthand reporter, present in future to take evidence. Mr. Johnston and Mr. Booth were present, and were examined by Mr. Chairman. Resolved, On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the Commissioner of Taxes be requested to attend to-morrow. The Committee then adjourned (10 p.m.) until 10.30 o'clock to-morrow (Thursday) morning.

JOINT COMMITTEE ON BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. Thursday, 22nd August, 1895. The Committee met at 10.30 o'clock. Present: Hon. Mr. Bowen, Hon. Mr. Stevens, Hon. Mr. Kelly, Hon. Mr. McLean, Hon. Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Jennings, Hon. Mr. Ormond, Hon. Dr. Grace, Hon. Mr, Walker, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Mr. Ward, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Captain Eussell, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Pinkerton, Mr. Millar. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Orders of reference read that Committee have leave to sit during sitting of Council and House. Mr. McKerrow and Mr. Foster, Manager, Bank of New Zealand Estates Company, were present, and were examined by Mr. Chairman, and their evidence taken. Mr. Foster was requested to attend at 3.30 o'clock this afternoon, to give further evidence. The Committee then adjourned (1.15 p.m.) until 3.30 o'clock this day. The Committee resumed at 3.30 o'clock.