A.—X». 3.

Wellington, Monday, 9th March, 1868. Peesent: Mr. Cargill. Mr. George Graham. Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., in the Chair. The Members of the Commission proceeded in the first instance to elect a Chairman, as suggested in Clause 4 of " The Commissioners' Powers Act, 1867." Proposed by Mr. George Graham and seconded by Mr. John Cargill, That Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., be Chairman of the Commission. Letter of the Honourable J. C. Richmond (acting for the Colonial Secretary), No. 179 (68,255), of the 7th instant, and tho Commission of His Excellency the Governor, dated Wellington, 27th February, 1868, were read. Proposed, That a reply to the above letter of the 7th instant bo addressed to the Honourable J. C. Richmond, informing him that the Commissioners had resolved to proceed at 530 p.m. to-morrow on board the " Rangatira," to Wanganui, and thence by land to Patea. A greed to. Proposed, That the Chairman do apply to the Colonial Secretary for books and stationery. Agreed to. , Proposed, That Mr. Parris, Civil Commissioner, Native Department,.be summoned to attend the Commissioners at Patea. Agreed to. Proposed, That Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, commanding at Patea, be informed that the Commissioners purpose arriving at Patea on or about the 13th instant, and that he be requested to attend, with such witnesses and documents as he may deem necessary. A greed to.

"Wangajtot, 14th Maecii, 1868. PbESEUT : Mr. Cargill. | Mr. George Graham. Mr. J. Cracroft "Wilson, C.B., in the Chair. A letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, dated Wanganui, 14th March, 1868, was read. Proposed, That the Chairman be requested to issue summons for the attendance at Matangarara of lit. Gudgeon, Aperaniko (Captain in the Native Contingent), and Coll McDonell, late sergeant in the Patea Rangers. Agreed to.

Patea, 16th March, 186 S. Peesent: Mr. Cargill. Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., in the Chair. A letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, dated Patea, 16th March, 186S, was read. Proposed, That the Chairman do immediately summon Captain Newland, xlrapata, and his wife Mohi, to attend and give evidence. Agreed to. Proposed, That Wi Hukanui be also summoned. Agreed to. Proposed, That, as Mr. Booth had mentioned in the course of conversation that he had received no instructions from the Colonial Secretary's Office to officiate as interpreter to the Commission, the Chairman do immediately write to Mr. Booth requesting that gentleman to act as interpreter, and guaranteeing to hold him blameless for acting without direct written authority from the Colonial. Oflice. Agreed to. Present : Mr. Cargill. Mr. George Graham. Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., in the Chair. Proposed, That the following witnesses be summoned to attend at Matangarara:—Matanahira, of Ohiki ; Martha, wife of above; Tito Ilunataua, of Matangarara; Tukino, of Matangarara. Agreed to.

Patea, 17th March, 1868. Peesent: Mr. Cargill. Mr. George Graham. Mr. J. Cracroft "Wilson, C.8., in the Chair. Read a letter from Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell, dated Patea, 17th March, 18G8. Proposed, That the Chairman do forthwith summon Mr. T. W. Rolfe to attend as a witness before the Commission at the village of Matangarara, on Wednesday, the 18th instant. Agreed to. Proposed, That as Mr. 0. Carrington, the gentleman alluded to in Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's despatch to the Honourable the Defence Minister, under date the 19th June, 1866, is now present in Patea, and is on the point of starting immediately for New Plymouth, his deposition bo forthwith taken. x\ greed to. Matangarara, 18th March, 1868. Present : Mr. Cargill. Mr. George Graham. Mr. J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., in the Chair. Examined, Mr. Robert Parris. On application from Mr. Rolfe to be allowed to report the proceedings for the Wanganui Times, — Resolved, That reporters be admitted, but Mr. Rolfe being a witness, that he give his evidence first. Examined, Frederick William Rolfe. Adjourned at 930 p.m.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.