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By Mr. Travers:— 76. Q—Was there any arrangement for scrip to be given to Natives in the Nelson purchases? A—There are about twenty claimants entitled to scripnlso a right of general selection. There was another arrangement on the West-Coast giving certain Natives (probably 20) the right of selecting 200 acres each on that coast. This arrangement was in part payment for the land to the Natives of the district. 77- Q —May these selections be made anywhere? A—Yes, they are not limited. 78. Q —ls any of this scrip in the market ? A—No. There were only 20 and they have been mostly selected. I have known one or two instances in which they were offered for sale, but none in which they were sold. The following resolution was passed by the Committee :— " That the Colonial Treasurer be requested to attend and give evidence on Monday next, at 10 a.m-, with a view to afford evidence as to the state of the cash balance in the Treasury and the outstanding liabilities against it." The Committee then adjourned till Monday, August 20, at 10 a.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 20, 1855. Present :— Messrs. Travers Messrs. Crompton Hart Forsaith Brown Mackay. Mr. Sewell, Chairman. The Minutes of the Committee were read and confirmed. The Colonial Treasurer attended, at the request of the Committee, to give evidence. The following questions were put by the Committee J. Q —Will you be good enough to state the amount of cash balance at this time in your hands as Colonial Trejsurer ? A —Mr. Shepherd, in answer, laid a memorandum before the Committee, showing: — £ s. d. Total available balance •• .. •• 20,717 15 9 Balances in the Deposit Account .. 4,910 0 9 To Land account deposits ... .. 27,003 9 0 2. Q Do you include in the sums due the shares of revenue due to 1 rovinces ? A—No. # , 3 # Q —ls there anything included in the liabilities on account ot sums clue for native land purchases as yet unliquidated ? A—No. _ 4_ Q Can you five us any estimates of the sums due to the Provinces . A No. The Auditor-General alone has the means of furnishing such an account. . e . ( j ea of t j ie gumg re q U i re d to provide for outstanding liabilities on account of land purchases ? A—No. The Auditor-Geneia and Mr. MLean alone can furnish such accounts. _ ...... am g Q Are there any other current outstanding liabilities . one occur to me at the present moment, but no doubt there must be some. 7 Q-Besides this balance of 120,717 15s. 9d., is there any balance in the hands of public accountants ? A—With the exception of the Suh-Ircasurei s and the Commissioners for the purchase of land from the natives, none ha g. q Are there any balances due to the New Zealand Company ? A—