H.-No. 7,

4

REPORT OE THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE.

Tuesday, Bth October, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Sir D. Monro, Mr. Pox, Mr. Andrew, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. O'Eorke, Mr. G. B. Parker. Sir Cracroft Wilson, Sir D. Monro in the Chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Two resolutions, dated the Bth day of October, 1872, were laid before the Committee, and read by the Chairman. Mr. Harrison was in attendance before the Committee, and complained that the evidence given by him and taken by a short-hand reporter at the previous meeting was not correctly taken by said reporter. A discussion took place thereon: some portion of the said evidence was read to the "Committee by the Chairman, when it was resolved that Mr. Harrison's evidence should be given to him to revise previous to its being laid before the Committee. The Attorney-General attended before the Committee, at the request of the Chairman, when it was arranged that he should attend at the future meetings of the Committee to watch the proceedings on the part of the House. Resolved, That Mr. Brogden and Mr. Holt be requested to attend before the Committee at the next meeting. After some deliberation on the part of the Committee, it was resolved to adjourn until to-morrow (Wednesday), at 10.30. The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday, 9th October, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Sir D. Monro, Mr. Andrew, Mr. McLean, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Pox, Hon. Mr. Gillies, Mr. G. B. Parker, Mr. Eolleston, Sir Cracroft Wilson. Sir D. Monro in the Chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Harrison was in attendance. A discussion took place relative to Mr. Harrison's evidence. The Committee deliberated, when, on the motion of Sir Cracroft Wilson, jj it was Resolved, That the Committee should adjourn until the rising of the House. On the rising of the House, Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Sir D. Monro, Hon. Mr. Gillies, Mr. O'Eorke, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. McLean, Mr. G. B. Parker, Mr. Pox, Mr. Andrew, Mr Pearce, Sir Cracroft Wilson. Mr. Sheehan, Sir D. Monro in the Chair. Mr. Harrison was in attendance on the Committee. Mr. Harrison's evidence again came under the consideration of the Committee. The Chairman read to the Committee the alterations made in the evidence by Mr. Harrison. Mr. Harrison objected to the short-hand reporter taking any more evidence, and requested the Chairman that a reporter from the Hansard staff might be employed. A discussion took place thereon. Mr. Harrison and the reporter were requested by the Chairman to withdraw, while the Committee deliberated, when Mr. Eolleston moved the following Eesolution : —• " That the Committee, not desiring to cast the slightest reflection on the present reporter, but in accordance with Mr. Harrison's request, resolve to apply to Mr. Barron for the services of one of the ablest Hansard reporters." Carried. Mr. Harrison and the reporter were then recalled. The consideration of Mr. Harrison's evidence •was again resumed. Mr. Holt, with his Counsel Mr. Travers, attended before the Committee at the request of the Chairman. The Attorney-General was also in attendance to watch the proceedings on the part of the House. The Chairman stated that Mr. Harrison's evidence having not yet been corrected, he was unable to hand a copy to Counsel; but if Mr. Travers wished to cross-examine Mr. Harrison in the meantime, he was at liberty to do so. It was then arranged that Mr. Travers should examine Mr. Harrison. Mr. Harrison cross-examined by Mr. Travers. Mr. Harrison was also examined by Mr. Gillies. The Attorney-General also questioned Mr. Harrison ; After which these gentlemen withdrew. The Committee deliberated, when it was Resolved, That Mr. Harrison's evidence should be printed.