I.—B

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Tuesday, 2oth July, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Conolly, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Sheehan (Chairman), Mr. Wynn-Williams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was moved by Mr. Wynn-Williams, seconded by Mr. Macandrew, That Messrs. Pilliet and Watt be requested to attend at the next meeting of the Committee, for the purpose of giving evidence. Resolved, That the meeting of the Committee be adjourned until Wednesday, the 26th July, at 12 noon.

Wednesday, 26th July, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Captain Morris, Mr. Sheehan (Chairman), Mr. Weston, Mr. Wynn-Williams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. W. F. Buckland, having presented himself, was examined on the Franklin North election petition, his evidence being taken down. Mr. Watt was then examined on the Wanganui election petition, his evidence being taken down. A letter was read from Mr. Pilliet, to the effect that he does not advance his claim singly; but would be happy to give evidence on the question of general costs if desired. The Chairman was instructed to reply to the effect that, under the circumstances, his evidence would not be required. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday, the 27th July, at 12 noon.

Thursday, 27th July, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present; Mr. FitzGerald, Mr. Sheehan (Chairman), Mr. Shrimski, Mr. Weston, Mr. WynnWilliams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was proposed by Mr. Weston, seconded by Mr. Shrimski, and carried unanimously, That all the hills of costs produced in evidence be printed and attached to the evidence. On the motion of Mr. Weston, seconded by Mr. Shrimski, Resolved, That the Chairman be directed to obtain extension of time for bringing up the report. Resolved, That the Committee stand adjourned until the evidence is in print.

Monday, 3 Ist July, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present .• Mr. Conolly, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Sheehan (Chairman), Mr. Shrimski, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wynn-Williams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The order of reference allowing extension of time for one week was read. Mr. Allwright was then examined on the Lyttelton petition case, his evidence being taken down. On the motion of Mr. Shrimski, seconded by Mr. Wynn-Williams, Resolved, That the evidence of Mr. W. F. Buckland, in consequence of its having been informally and materially altered in purport, be not admitted ; and, further, that such evidence be not received or printed. Letters from Messrs. Harper and Co. and Mr. Wason were read in reply to letters sent them with reference to Mr. Bloxam's evidence, and ordered to be printed and attached to the evidence. The Committee then adjourned until Wednesday, the 2nd August, at 11 a.m., for the purpose of considering their final report.

Wednesday, 2nd August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. FitzGerald, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Sheehan (Chairman), Mr. Shrimski, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wynn-Williams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Joseph Devine, clerk to Messrs. Buckley, Stafford, and Fitzherbert, was called, and produced papers with reference to the costs in the Wanganui election petition, giving his evidence on the subject, which was taken down. Resolved, That the respondent's bill of costs in the Wanganui election petition be printed and attached to the evidence. Resolved, That proof copies of the final report should be printed, with a view to further amendment. Resolved, That Mr. Ballance be telegraphed to, with a request that he would communicate with the Committee as to the amount of his bill of costs in the Wanganui election petition. The Committee then adjourned until further notice.

Thursday, 10th August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Conolly, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Macandrew, Captain Morris, Mr. Sheehan (Chairman), Mr. Shrimski, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. Wynn-Williams. The minutes-of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr Conolly, seconded by Mr. Wynn-Williams, Resolved, That this Committee declines to recommend that the House.should refund to any of the candidates any portion of the costs incurred in the election petition trials. Resolved, That the report as amended be adopted and printed. Resolved, That, in consequence of the delay in the printing of the evidence, owing to the pressure of work at the Government Printing Office, extension of time for seven days be applied for by the Chairman for bringing up the report, The Committee then adjourned.