1.—14.

Mr M. Myers asked that witnesses summoned be ordered out of the room while evidence is being taken. —Agreed to. The Committee then took evidence. (1 ) Henry Otterson, Clerk, House of Representatives, attended, and produced exhibits marked A, B, and C, and was examined by Mr M. Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C , and the members of the Committee. (2 ) Bryan Cuthbert Lysaght, sheep-farmer, Mokoia, near Hawera, was sworn, and produced exhibits marked D, E, and F, and was examined by Mr M. Myers, Mr Skerrett, K.C., and the members of the Committee. (3.) William Wilson, farmer, Whenuakura, was sworn, and was examined by Mr M. Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C, and the members of the Committee. (4.) Joseph George Haddow, solicitor, Auckland, was sworn, and produced exhibits marked G, H, I, J, X, L, M, N, 0, P, Q, R, S, and T, and was examined by Mr M. Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C, and the members of the Committee. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That, the hour of 1 20 p.m. having arrived, the Committee do now adjourn to 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, the 3rd day of November next. The Committee adjourned accordingly

Thuesday, 3rd November, 1910. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr Hanan (Chairman), Mr Allen, Mr Buchanan, Mr. Fraser, Mr Graham, Mr Massey, Hon Mr Millar, Mr Myers, Mr Reed, Right Hon Sir J G Ward. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Clerk read correspondence marked 31 to 45, as follows : — (31 ) Letter from Mr M. Myers, dated Ist November (32 ) Letter from Mr J G. Haddow, dated 2nd November (33.) Telegram from Mrs. Frederick Bayly, dated 2nd November (34.) Telegram from Mr C. Bayly, dated 2nd November (35.) Subpoena to attend to Charles Bayly, dated Ist November (36.) Subpoena to attend to Frederick Bayly, dated Ist November (37 ) Notice to produce to the Right Hon. Sir J G Ward, dated Ist November (38.) Notice to produce to F W Flanagan, dated 2nd November (39.) Notice to produce to J D Ritchie, dated 2nd November (40.) Notice to produce to J D Ritchie, dated 2nd November (41 ) Subpoena to attend to A. L. Wilson, dated 2nd November (42 ) Subpoena to attend to W E. Griffin, dated 2nd November (43 ) Notice to produce to R. J Collins, dated 2nd November (44.) Subpoena to attend to Alexander Barron, dated 2nd November. (45.) Telegram from Frederick Bayly, dated 3rd November Resolved, to reply to Mr Frederick Bayly's telegram (45) asking to be excused from attending, That a telegram be sent informing Mr Bayly that he must attend. The Committee then heard further evidence. ... , Mr Hine, M.P , with his counsel, Mr. M Myers, and Mr. Walter Symes, with his counsel, Mr C. P Skerrett, X.C , attended. . (5.) George Vater Pearce, member of Parliament for Patea, was sworn, and examined by Mr M Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C, and the members, of the Committee. Mr M. Myers handed in exhibits marked U, V, W, and X, and stated that these were all the witnesses he desired to call re. allegation No. 3. Re allegation No. 4 : — (6 ) William David Anderson, solicitor, Stratford, was sworn, and produced exhibit marked X, and was examined by Mr. M. Myers, Mr. Skerrett, X.C, and the members of the Committee (7 ) Joseph McCluggage, storekeeper, Whangamomona, was sworn, and examined by Mr M. Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C, and the members of the Committee. (8 ) William Charles Whitlock, journalist, Hastings, was sworn, and examined by Mr M. Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C, and the members of the Committee. The Right Hon Sir J G Ward handed in exhibit marked Z and AA. A discussion arose on Mr Reed asking that William David Anderson be recalled. The Chairman ruled that the witness be not recalled. . (9 ) Arthur Edward Copping, editor, Stratford Post, Stratford, was sworn, and examined by Mr M Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C, and the members of the Committee _ Mr M Myers stated that these were all the witnesses he desired to call re allegation No. 4. Mr Skerrett, X.C, asked that the Committee proceed with the allegations numbered 1 and * at a J° e^£ B n |-^*^ aj< J; ttendedj and as ked that he be allowed to be heard to-morrow Agreed, on the motion of the Chairman, That, as the allegations numbered 1 and 2 are to be taken next Mr Major will have that opportunity . .-,.., n Zolve-d, on the motion of the Chairman, That, the hour of 1 p.m. having arrived, the Committee do now adjourn until 10.30 a.m. on Friday, the 4th day of November, 1910. The Committee adjourned accordingly

XX