G.—s

XV

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Wellington, Friday, 26th May, 1905. The Commission sat at 2.30 p.m. Present: Sir James Prendergast (Chairman), H. S. Wardell, Esq., W. H. Quick, Esq. The Secretary, Mr. Walter Leslie, was in attendance. The Commission was read, also the grants therein referred to. The Secretary was instructed to telegraph to Mr. Hutana, requesting him to come to Wellington ; also to obtain, for the use of the Commission, various papers and blue-books; also to apply for the services of an interpreter. Adjourned till Monday, the 29th May, at 2.30 p.m.

Wellington, Monday, 29th May, 1905. The Commission sat at 2.30 p.m. Present: Sir James Prendergast (Chairman), H. S. Wardell, Esq., W. H. Quick, Esq. Mr. Stafford (Stafford, Treadwell, and Field) attended to ask to be allowed to appear before the Commission on behalf of certain Natives interested. Mr. Stafford was informed that he was at liberty to attend the meetings of the Commission during the whole of the inquiry, unless given notice to the contrary. The petitions presented to Parliament in connection with the subject-matter of the inquiry were perused; also Parliamentary papers of an early date bearing upon the same subject. It was decided to call the evidence of the trustees in the Porirua trust on Thursday, the Ist June; also that of Archdeacon Fancourt; and the Secretary was instructed to write to the latter and to the secretary of the trust to that effect. It was decided to ask Mr. Stafford to attend on the following day in connection with the question of a sitting of the Commission at Otaki, and the Secretary was instructed accordingly. The Secretary was instructed to wire to Otaki re the use of the Courthouse for sittings of the Commission. Adjourned till Tuesday, 30th May, at 10.30 a.m.

Wellington, Tuesday, 30th May, 1905. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Sir James Prendergast (Chairman), H. S. Wardell, Esq., W. H. Quick, Esq., and Mr. Hutana. Mr. Stafford attended in connection with the matter of a sitting at Otaki. It was decided that the Commission should sit at Otaki on Tuesday, the 6th June, at half past 2 o'clock p.m. The Secretary was instructed to advertise the Otaki sitting in Wellington and Otaki papers, in English and Maori; to notify the same by letter to the Bishop of Wellington and the Yen. Archdeacon Williams, enclosing copies of the Commission; also to write to the Bishop of Auckland with reference to the Waikato grants, enclosing copy of the Commission; also to make arrangements for the Otaki sitting. The Secretary was instructed to ascertain from Mr. E. Hadfield who are the present representatives of the Church Missionary Society in New Zealand, in connection with the Otaki and one of the Waikato grants. The Secretary was also instructed to notify the Bishop of Wellington that the Commission would sit at 10 a.m. on Friday. Adjourned till Thursday, the Ist June, at 10.30 a.m.

Wellington, Thursday, Ist June, 1905. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Sir James Prendergast (Chairman), H. S. Wardell, Esq., W. H. Quick, Esq., and Mr. Hutana. Mr. L. M. Grace, interpreter to the Commission, was in attendance. Mr. F. J. Carter, secretary to the Porirua trustees, attended and produced a statement of receipts and expenditure in connection with that trust. Mr. Carter was asked to amplify the statement and produce it so amplified on Monday, the sth instant. The evidence of Archdeacon Fancourt was taken. Adjourned till Friday, the 2nd instant, at 10 a.m.