L—6

2

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Fbiday, Ist Octobbe, 1897. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. J. Allen, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Montgomery, Hon Mr Eolleston, Captain Eussell, and the Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon. The Order of Eeference of the 30th September constituting the Committee was read by the Clerk. * Mr. Joyce moved, seconded by Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon, That Mr. Guinness be appointed Chairman Mr. Allen moved, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Eolleston, That the name of Mr. Montgomery be inserted m lieu of the name of Mr. Guinness; and the question being put, That the name of Mr. Guinness stand part of the question, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 4: Mr. Duncan, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Montgomery, Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon. Noes, 4: Mr. Allen, Mr. Guinness, Hon. Mr. Eolleston, Captain Eussell. The numbers being equal, and there being no Chairman to exercise a casting-vote Mr Guinness retired from nomination, and moved, That the Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon be appointed Chairman. This was seconded by Mr. Duncan. Mr. Allen then moved, seconded by the Hon. Mr. Eolleston, that the name of Mr Montgomery be inserted in lieu of the Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon. And the question being put, That the name of the Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon stand part of the question, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 5: Mr. Duncan, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Montgomery, Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon Noes, 3 : Mr. Allen, Hon. Mr. Eolleston, Captain Eussell. So it was resolved in the affirmative. The Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon took the chair accordingly. Resolved, That the following documents and information be obtained for the next meeting of the Committee :— (1.) Copies of Gazette in which the resignation of the Hon. Mr. Ward is notified. (2.) Notifications by letters and telegrams to the Speaker from the Hon. Mr. Ward resigning his seat. (3.) Gazetted bankruptcy of the Hon. Mr. Ward, and declaration of Official Assignee as to same, and as to present position of the Hon. Mr. Ward. (4.) Copy of writ for election of member for Awarua. (5.) Extract from Journals the House of Eepresentatives re member for Awarua taking the oath. Resolved, That Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Guinness, and the Hon. Mr. Eolleston be appointed a sub-committee to search for precedents of the British House of Commons bearing on any matter in the Order of Eeference. Also, to search for and bring before the Committee the several laws in force m Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand as to qualification of candidate and as to members becoming bankrupt, or if bankrupt when elected. Resolved, That the Hon. Mr. Ward be notified to attend before the Committee for examination at the next meeting. Resolved, That the Hon. the Speaker be requested to attend the next meeting of the Committee, and that it be intimated to him that the Committee wish him to produce documents in his possession in connection with the resignation of the Hon. Mr. Ward. Resolved, That Mr. Joyce, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Allen, Hon. Mr. Eolleston, and Mr. Guinness be appointed a sub-committee to state a case for approval at the next meeting of the Committee Resolved, That the Clerk of the District Court at Invercargill be communicated with and requested to inform the Committee whether, in connection with the bankruptcy of the Hon Mr Ward, Member for Awarua, he has complied with the provisions of section 131 of " The Electoral Act, 1893," and, if not, why not. Also, to furnish the Committee with any telegrams or correspondence in connection with the same. The Committee then adjourned till Wednesday, the 6th instant.

Wednesday, 6th Octobeb, 1897. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Et. Hon. Mr. Seddon (Chairman), Mr. Allen, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Bolleston, and Captain Eussell. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and, after discussion, confirmed. Mr. Skerrett applied to be allowed to appear before the Committee as counsel for the Hon. ivtr. Ward. A discussion arose. lL On motion of Mr. Guinness, Resolved, That Mr. Skerrett be allowed to appear on behalf of tne Hon. Mr. Ward. Mr. Skerrett appeared. t r, T ™ f ° llowin g re p!y from the Clerk of the District Court, Invercargill, was read : "Be Hon J. G. Ward : I did not comply with section 131 of ' The Electoral Act, 1893,' as I understood he had resigned prior to filing his petition, and thought, he having resigned, section did not apply On ascertaining he was a Justice of the Peace, I reported the bankruptcy to Minister of Justice on iotn July last. JNo other correspondence or telegrams passed in connection with this matter "