REPORT OE THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE.

7

EL—No. 7.

proposals derogatory to the character or position of any Member of the House were made by or by authority of Mr. Brogden. J Mr. Gillies moved, That the charges made by Mr. Harrison against Mr. Holt have not been substantiated. Mr. Fox moved, as an amendment, That, notwithstanding some discrepancies in the evidence of Mr. Harrison, the evidence of Mr. Holt is not sufficient to satisfy this Committee that the charges made by Mr. Harrison were without foundation or substantially untrue ; while Mr. Holt's admission and the evidence of Mr. Tribe, go to prove that there were circumstances in the case which justified the inquiry for which the Committee was appointed. -Resolution by Mr. Gillies, and amendment proposed by Mr. Fox thereto, withdrawn by leave of the Committee. It was then moved by Mr. Andrew, That the evidence taken before the Committee, while it raises a suspicion of an unhealthy state of things, is not sufficient to establish proof of violation of the privileges of the House by Mr. Holt. A discussion ensued thereon. And the Question being put, it passed in the affirmative. Moved by Mr. Gillies, That the Committee regrets that Mr. Harrison should have made such charges as those contained m his letter to the Speaker, founded on private conversation. And the Question being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 4. jvoes, 2. Mr. Gillies, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Parker, Mr. Fox Mr. Eolleston, Sir Cracroft Wilson. So it passed in the affirmative. Moved by Mr. Parker, That the discrepancies between Mr. Harrison's evidence, his letters, statements, and the evidence of other persons, compel your Committee to come to the conclusion that he has not been acting straightforwardly. Motion made by Mr. Fox, and Question proposed that the Committee do now adjourn. And the question of adjournment being put, the Committee divided, when the names were taken down as follows :— Ayes, 5. Noes 4. Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Gillies,' Hon. Mr. McLean, Mr. Parker Mr. Fox, Mr! Eolleston, Mr. Pearce, Sir C. Wilson. Mr. Andrew. So it passed in the affirmative. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow (Thursday), at 11 o'clock.

Thursday, 17th October, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Sir D. Monro, Hon. Mr. McLean, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Fox, Mr. Parker, Mr. O'Eorke, Mr. Andrew, Mr. Gillies, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Sheehan. Sir D. Monro in the Chair. Minutes of th.c previous meeting read and confirmed. The motion of Mr. Parker, moved at the previous meeting, having again come under consideration, was, with the consent of the Committee, withdrawn. The Committee deliberated, when it was Resolved, That the following Eeport be adopted and presented to the House. (See page 3.) •