I.—ll

4

Wednesday, Bth August, 1883. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Legislative Council —Hon. Colonel Brett (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Barnicoat, Hon. Mr. Bonar, Hon. Mr. P. A. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Dignan, Hon. Dr. Grace, Hon. Mr. Hart, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Lahmann, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Miller, Hon. Dr. Pollen, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds. House of Eepresentatives—Mr. Barron, Mr. J. Buchanan, Mr. De Lautour, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Fergus, Mr. Fish, Mr. C. J. Johnston, Mr. Munro, Mr. ,Turnbull, Mr. Swanson. The order of reference from the Legislative Council, dated the 7th August, That five members be added to the Joint Education Petitions Committee, was read. The minutes of the previous meeting were then read and confirmed. Bishop Moran, Eoman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, was present, and gave evidence, which was taken down. Bishop Moran was thanked for his attendance, and retired. The Hon. the Chairman stated that he had received a letter from the Eev. Mr. Bavin, asking to be allowed to give evidence, which was read. Moved by the Hon. Mr. Buckley, That it is desirable that evidence should be taken of two or three laymen from the Eoman Catholic side. —Carried. Subsequently, the motion was allowed by the Committee to be withdrawn. The Hon. the Chairman was requested to inform the Eev. Mr. Bavin that the Committee would have no objection to receive his evidence at the next sitting day. Resolved, That the Committee do now adjourn until Friday, the 10th instant, at 11 o'clock a.m.

Friday, 10th August, 1883. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Colonel Brett (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Barnicoat, Hon. Mr. Bonar, Hon. Mr. P. A. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Dignan, Hon. Dr. Grace, Hon. Mr. Hart, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Lahmann, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Miller, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds. House of Eepresentatives—Mr. Barron, Mr. J. Buchanan, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Peldwick, Mr. Fish, Mr. Munro, Mr. Pyke, Mr. Swanson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter dated the Bth August, received by the Hon. the Chairman from Bishop Hadfield, together with a copy of the Chairman's reply thereto, were read. Moved by Mr. Barron, That the request of Bishop Hadfield to have his letter of the Bth August printed with the minutes of his evidence be complied with.—Carried Moved by Mr. Pyke, That the evidence taken by the Committee be printed and circulated amongst the members confidentially. Moved by the Hon. Dr. Menzies, as an amendment, That the Chairman of the Joint Committee be requested to ask the. sanction of the Legislative Council to get the evidence printed, and that the Chairman of the Committee of the House of Eepresentatives be requested to ask for similar permission in the House. Upon which a division was called for, and the names being taken down as follow :— Ayes, 11.—Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Barnicoat, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Fish, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Lahmann, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Mr. Munro, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Swanson. Noes, 8. —Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Bonar, Mr. J. Buchanan, Hon. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Feldwick, Hon. Mr. Hart, Mr. Pyke. Amendment carried. Hon. Mr. Menzie's amendment was then put as a substantive motion, upon which a division took place, the names being taken down as follow: — Ayes, 9. —Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Barnicoat, Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Bonar, Hon. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Fish, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Mr. Swanson. Noes, 10.—Mr. J. Buchanan, Hon. Mr. P. A. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Dodson, Hon. Mr. Hart, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Lahmann, Mr. Munro, Mr. Pyke, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds. Motion negatived. Moved by Mr. Feldwick, seconded by Mr. Fish, That, it having been intimated to the Committee that Bishop Luck, Eoman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, desires to give evidence, his evidence be received if tendered, and that the same be intimated to him. Upon the question being put, "That further debate on this motion be adjourned for the present for the purpose of hearing the evidence of the Eev. Mr. Bavin," a division was called for, ' the names being taken down as follows : — Ayes, 14.—Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Barnicoat, Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Bonar, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Fish, Hon. Mr. Hart, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Lahmann, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Mr. Munro, Hon. Mr. Eeynolds, Mr. Swanson. Noes, s.—Mr. J. Buchanan, Hon. Mr. P. A. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Dignan, Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Pyke. Debate accordingly adjourned. The Eev. Mr. Bavin was-sthen requested to attend. The Hon. the Chairman proceeded to examine him, when a discussion arose with reference to the question put by the Chairman, who thereupon requested"Mr. Bavin to withdraw during the discussion. It was ultimately agreed that the same questions which had been asked previous witnesses by the Chairma.n should be put to Mr. Bavin. Mr. Bavin was recalled, and gave evidence, which was taken down. Mr. Bavin was thanked for his attendance, and retired.