1.-8

III

The Clerk was instructed to obtain from the Native Office two letters : one from Dr. Buller to the Chief Judge, No., 4794, 1880; the other from Dr. Buller to Mr. Dickey, dated 26th July, 1880. Resolved, That this Committee do now adjourn till to-morrow, Ist July, at 11.15 a.m. Adjourned accordingly.

Thuesday, Ist July, 1886. The Committee met at 11.15 a.m. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Major Atkinson, Sir G. Grey, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Seddon, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Hon. Sir B. Stout. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Letter of this date, enclosing Dr. Buller's telegram of the 26th July, 1880, &c, from Mr. Lewis, Under-Secretary, Native Office, received, and read by the Chairman. A letter was also received from the Native Affairs Committee enclosing telegram from certain Natives residing in Taupo, expressing satisfaction in the inquiry of the Owhaoko and other blocks, and asking for a rehearing of said blocks. On the motion of Mr. Holmes, Resolved, That Mr. Fenton be called in for examination. Mr. Fenton's examination by Mr. Bell then proceeded. Mr. Lewis, Under-Secretary, attended with original files and minute-books from Native Office. On the motion of Hon. Sir B. Stout, Resolved, That this meeting adjourn till to-morrow, at 11 o'clock. Adjourned accordingly.

Feiday, 2nd July, 1886. The Committee met at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Holmes, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Hon. Sir E. Stout. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. Telegram addressed to the Native Minister from Bawiri Kahia was received, and read by the Chairman. Also a letter from the Native Office, enclosing copy of a letter from Mr. A. Southy Baker, solicitor, Palmerston North, with reference to a petition from Noa te Hianga for a reinvestigation of the title to the Mongaohane Block, Patea, asking that this block bo included in the OwhaokoKaimanawa Bill, was read, and the Clerk instructed to reply that the Committee can only deal with the matters referred to them. Mr. Lewis, Under-Secretary, was again in attendance with original papers, &o. The examination of Mr. Fenton by Mr. Bell was resumed. Resolved, That Mr. Fenton be allowed to correct an answer to a question put in the first day's examination. On the motion of Hon. Sir B. Stout, Resolved, That Mr. Coruford be asked by wire: (1.) On whose behalf he perused draft case for Supreme Court re Owhaoko, in July, 1881. (2.) Was he paid fees for such perusal, and, if so, when, and by whom? (3.) When did he begin to act in the matter for Studholme and Benata ? On the motion of Hon. Sir B. Stout, Resolved, That this Committee do now adjourn till to-morrow (Saturday), at 11 a.m. Adjourned accordingly.

Satueday, 3ed July, 1886. The Committee met at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Stewart, Hon. Sir E. Stout. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Telegram from Benata Kawepo read by the Chairman. Answer to telegram of yesterday from Mr. Cornford received, read by the Chairman, and ordered to be printed. On the motion of Mr. Holmes, Resolved, That Mr. Bell's address to the Committee be taken down in shorthand and printed with the proceedings, provided his clients do not address the Committee, except in answer to questions. Mr- Fenton's examination was then proceeded with, and concluded by Mr. Bell. Mr. Eogan was then called in for examination by Mr. Bell. Mr. Lewis, Under-Secretary, was again in attendance. ■ On the motion of Hon. Sir E. Stout, Resolved, That this Commitee do now (1 o'clock) adjourn till Monday, the sth instant, at 10.30 a.m. Adjourned accordingly.

Monday, sth July, 1886. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Stewart, Hon. Sir B. Stout. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Telegram from Airini Tonore and four others, residing at Napier, who claim to be amongst principal owners, wishing to be heard before Committee, and one also from Hori te Tauri, to the same effect, were read by the Chairman. On the motion of Hon. Sir B. Stout, Resolved, That the following reply to telegrams be sent;