I.—B

IV

" Make statement before Besident Magistrate and forward same to Chairman, and if Committee think it necessary to examine them due notice will be sent." Mr. Bogan's examination by Mr. Bell was then proceeded with. Mr. Lewis was again in attendance with original papers, &c. Resolved, That this Committee do now (1 o'clock) adjourn till Wednesday, the 7th instant, at 11 o'clock. Adjourned accordingly.

Wednesday, 7th July, 1886. The Committee met at 11 o'clock. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Stewart. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Letter from Mr. Bell, asking Chairman to defer the examination of witnesses by him till another day. —Granted. Note from the Hon. the Premier, enclosing letter from Mr. E. T. Batley, Hawke's Bay, bearing on the subject under consideration, read by the Chairman. Captain Birch, lessee of the Kaimanawa-Oruamatua Block, was in attendance, and wishing to give evidence before the Committee, was called in and gave evidence. Resolved, That this Committee do now (12 o'clock) adjourn till Friday, the 9th instant, at 11 o'clock. Adjourned accordingly.

Feiday. 9th July, 1886 The Committee met at 11 o'clock. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. W. D. Stewart, and Hon. Sir B. Stout. The minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. Telegram received and read from Airini Tonori, expressing satisfaction in being allowed to make statement before Besident Magistrate, which will be made on Friday (to-day). Letter from Captain Birch, informing the Committee that he has wired for a copy of the names appended to his original agreement to lease, read by the Chairman. Letter (dated from Wellington) from Hiraka te Bango, with two other Natives, expressing a wish to give evidence before the Committee. Mr. Bridson, Begistrar of the Native Land Court, who was in attendance, was called in for examination by Mr. Bell. The Clerk was instructed to give notice to Hiraka and others to attend and give evidence before the Committee on Monday. Resolved, That this Committee do now (1 o'clock) adjourn till Monday, the 12th instant, at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Adjourned accordingly.

Monday, 12th July, 1886. g=g. The Committee met at 10.30 o'clock a.m. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Menteath, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Seddon, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Hon. Sir E. Stout. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. Letter from Captain Birch, enclosing telegram from Messrs. Wilson and Cotterill, Napier, with names of Natives attached to agreement to lease of 1867, was read, and it was ordered that the telegram be printed as an amendment to Captain Birch's evidence. Hiraka te Bango was called in to give evidence re his petition for rehearing. Karaitiana te Bango and Te Mihi Betimana also gave evidence. Resolved, That this Committee do now adjourn till further notice. Adjourned accordingly.

Wednesday, 14th July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Seddon, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Hon. Sir E. Stout. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Letter from Captain Preece, enclosing statement of Airini Tonori, made before him on the 9th instant, received and read. Mr. Fenton's examination was then proceeded with, Mr. Bell, his solicitor, being present. Resolved, That this Committee do now (1 o'clock) adjourn till to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. Adjourned accordingly.

Thursday, 15th July, 1886. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Bryce, Mr. Menteath, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Hon Sir E. Stout. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.