MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMITTEEWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15th, 1855. Present— Messrs. Travers Messrs. Brown Mackay Crompton Hart Forsaith Mr. b'ewell—Chairman. Resolved that the Auditor-General's statement of Accounts be read. Resolved that Mr. McLean be requested to attend to-morrow at 10 o'clock to give evidence. (Signed) H. SEWELL, Chairman.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 1855. Present— Messrs. Brown Messrs. Crompton Travers Msckay Hart Forsaith Mr. Sewell—Chairman. The minutes of the Committee were read and confirmed. Donald McLean, Esquire, Commissioner for the purchase of Lands from the Natives, attended to give evidence. The Account No. 1, received from the Auditor-General, was putinto Mr. McLean's hands. Mr. McLean produced an Account No. 2, ending March 1854. The following questions were then put by the Committee, By the Chairman 1. Q —Have you ever seen this Account No. 1, transmitted by the AuditorGeneral ? A—No. 2. Q—ls the Account No 2, produced by you, a continuation of Account No. I, transmitted by the Auditor-General? A—No, they apply to the same period, but there may be some difference between the two Accounts on account of non-delivery of vouchers and accounts only now received from the South. 3. Q —Have you rendered any accounts subsequent to this ? A—Yes, up to June, 1855, from Wellington 4. Q—When were they given to you ? A—On the last arrival of the Zingari. Mr. McLean then produced accounts marked A. B.C. AA.88., also further accounts of the sum of £18,663 17 3, £2,000 expended for Nelson, the rest for Wellington.