J.—s

4

Wednesday, 26th July, 1875. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 11 a.m. Peesent: Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Mr. Bastings, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Lumsden, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Tole, Hon. Sir D. McLean, Mr. Williams, Mr. W. Wood. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The order of reference of the House of Eepresentatives, dated 25th July, 1876, was read as follows:—■ Ordered, That the petition of Henare Tomoana and others be referred to the Eastern Maori Election Committee. The petition was read. Mr. J. H. Campbell attended and gave evidence. A letter and telegrams from Mr. Locke to the witness, as Deputy Eeturning Officer at Waiapu, were submitted and read. Mr. F. W. Campbell, Deputy Eeturning Officer at Kawakawa, attended and gave evidence. The Committee then adjourned till Thursday, 27th July, at 11 a.m.

Thuesday, 27th July, 1876. The Committee met according to arrangement at 11 a.m. Peesent: Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Mr. Bastings, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Lumsden, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Tole, Hon. Sir D. McLean, Mr. Williams, Mr. W. Wood. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Tole moved, That this Committee, having considered the evidence produced before them, believe that Karaitiana Takamoana has been duly elected, and therefore recommend that he be allowed to take his seat in the House as the duly elected member thereof for the Eastern Maori Electoral District. The Hon. Mr. Stafford moved, as an amendment, That, in the opinion of the Committee, the electors who were debarred from exercising their powers of voting at Kawakawa, owing to the nonattendance of the Deputy Eeturning Officer at that place, should be enabled to record their votes by a poll being taken there with as little delay as possible ; the result of the polling being added to the polls taken at the other polling places. The amendment was negatived. The resolution proposed by Mr. Tole was agreed to. Mr. Eeid moved, That it appears that, owing to the polling booth at Kawakawa not having been opened on the day of the poll, some of the electors have been prevented from voting ; but, owing to the conflicting nature of the evidence, it is impossible to determine with certainty whether the result would have been altered. Tour Committee are of opinion that it would not. The Hon. Mr. Stafford moved, as an amendment, To strike out all the words after the word " altered." The question being put, the Committee divided: — Ayes, 3. —Hon. Sir D. McLean, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Williams. Noes, 6.—Mr. Bastings, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Tole, Mr. W. Wood. Amendment negatived. The resolution was agreed to as proposed by Mr. Eeid. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Eeid, That these resolutions be reported to the House, with the evidence taken before the Committee appeuded, to-morrow. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Macandrew, That this Committee do adjourn till Friday, 28th July, at 11 a.m. The Committee then adjourned.

Feiday, 28th July, 1876. The Committee met according to arrangement at 11 a.m. Peesent : Mr. Curtis in the Chair. Mr. Bastings, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Lumsden, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Tole, Hon. Sir D. McLean, Mr. "Williams, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. W. "Wood. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Henare Potae attended and gave evidence. "Wiremu "Wanoa attended and gave evidence. Meiha Eopata attended and gave evidence. Mr. Sheehan, M.H.E., attended and gave evidence. The Committee then adjourned.