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The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Hon. Mr. Hall, Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Hon. Mr. Waterhouae, and Sir Maurice O'Eorke aUeuded and gave evidence. The Committee then adjourned, having agreed to take this case on Thursday, the 4th August, 1881.

Thtjesday, 4th August, 1881. Present: Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Kelly (Chairman), Captain Kenny, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, C.M.G-., Mr. Turnbull. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. BbII stated the case for the Government. Hon. Mr. Eichardson, C.M.G., was examined. The Committee then adjourned, having agreed to resume the case after the evidence was in print and in the hands of the Committee.

Fbidat, 9th Septembeb, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allwright, Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Kelly (Chairman), Captain Kenny, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Richardson, CM.6., Mr. Turnbull. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Printed copies of the evidence and appendix were distributed'to each member of the Committee. Resolved, That matters referring to immigration in the letters put in by the petitioners bo printed in the Appendix to Evidence, and that letter No. 15 from James Brogden to Messrs. Brogden, of the 25th November, 1871, be inserted in full. The Committee proceeded to consider petitioners' claim. Moved by Mr. Turnbull, That relief be granted to Messrs. Brogden in respect of their emigration contract, so as to put the charges for passages on the same footing as other immigrants have been charged who paid cash, viz. : — 1877 emigrants, at £5 .. .. .. .. £9,385 Interest at G per cent. ... .. ... 1,245 £10,630 Less —Recoveries ... .. ... .. £1,043 600 men. at £5 .. ~ 3,000 Interest ... .. 620 4,G60 £5,074 One-third transhipment charges .. 256 £6,230 Mr. Barron moved, by way of amendment, That all the words after " that ' be omitted, for the purpose of inserting the following words, namely, " the Committee are of opinion the petitioners have no claim against the colony " The question was put that the words proposed to be omitted stand part of the question. The Chairman declared the " Noes " had it. A division being called for, the Committee divided : — Ayes, 1. —Mr. Turnbull. Noes, 6. —Mr. Allwright, Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Dick, Captain Kenny, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Richardson, C.M.G-. The words were therefore omitted. The question was then put, That the following words be inaerted, " The Committee are of opinion the petitioners have no claim against the colony." The Chairman declared the Ayes had it. A division being called for, the Committee divided :— Ayes, 6.—Mr. Allwright, Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Dick, Captain Kenny, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, C.M.G. Noes, I.—Mr. Turnbull. The words were therefore inserted. The question was then put, That the motion as amended be agreed to, namely, " That the Committee are of opinion the petitioners have no claim against the colony " Which was carried in the affirmative. The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday, 14th Septicmbee, 1881. Present: Mr. Allwright, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Kelly (Chairman), Mr Murray, Mr. Turnbull. Resolved, That the Chairman be directed to report the resolution and evidence on the petition of Messrs. Brogden to the House.

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