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Fbiday, 25th June, 1886. Tho Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Sperrey, Property-tax Commissioner, was in attendance, and produced plan of Devonport and telegram of this date from Mr. Seaman re offer of £16,000 ; also reports from Mr. Seaman dated 18th and 24th March, 1886. Mr. Sperrey was examined. Besolved, That the Chairman telegraph to Mr. John Eoss for date and particulars, &c, of his arrangement to purchase from Mr. Stark the house and part of the land in question ; to Messrs. Cochrane and Sons for name of party who offered £16,000; to Mr. Seaman for name of gentleman who had seen written offer of £16,000, and name of gentleman who knew of an offer of £450 per acre for six acres of northern portion of property, as reported by him in his letter to the Propertytax Commissioner. The Committee adjourned till Tuesday, the 29th June, at 12 o'clock.

Tuesday, 29th June, 1886. Tho Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Peacock, Hon. Sir Julius Vogel, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported that he had telegraphed to and received answers from Mr. Eoss, Mr. Seaman, and Messrs. Cochrane and Sons, which were read to the meeting. Memorandum from Mr. Sperrey, and letter from Mr. Mason, dated 18th June, were also read to the Committee. Besolved, That the Chairman telegraph to Mr. Mason to ask if he can state the name of the gentleman who made the offer of £4,000 for ten acres and house and-£3,500 for five acres and house referred to in his letter. Mr. Dargaville's motion, deferred from meeting on the 24th June, being withdrawn, the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel moved, That Mr. Brewer be asked, by telegram, to explain the reason why, in his letter of the 20th January, 1886, he advised the purchase at £17,100, and in his memorandum of the 22nd January, 1886, stated that he had no report to make; and that the Chairman, Mr. Peacock, and Mr. Dargaville be a sub-Committee to decide, after receiving Mr. Brewer's reply, whether it is necessary to summon him for examination. The Committee adjourned till Wednesday, the 30th June, at 12 o'clock.

Wednesday, 30th June, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Gore, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Hon. Sir Julius Vogel. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported he had telegraphed to Mr. Brewer and Mr. Mason; Mr. Mason had replied [reply read] ; Mr. Brewer had not yet replied, and he had sent him a second telegram urging a prompt reply [also read]. Mr Mitchelson attended, and was examined. The Chairman was requested to telegraph to Messrs. Ashton and Co., to Mr. Le Bailly, and Mr. Hammond for information. On the motion of Dr. Newman, Besolved, That the Hon. Mr. Eichardson be summoned for attendance to give evidence to-morrow. On the motion of Mr. Dargaville, Besolved, That Mr. Brewer and Mr. Seaman be summoned from Auckland to give evidence forthwith. The Committee adjourned till Thursday, the Ist July, at 12 o'clock.

Thubsday, Ist July, 1886. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Moss (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Barron, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Gore, Mr. Holmes, Mr. Levestam, Dr. Newman, Mr. Peacock, Mr. Wilson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported to the Committee that power had not been given them to call for persons and papers, and that he had asked for and obtained the necessary authority that day. The Chairman reported as follows : that he had telegraphed to and received replies from Messrs. Ashton and Co., Mr. Le Bailly, and Mr. Hammond, which were read to the Committee; that he had also telegraphed to Mr. Brewer and Mr. Seaman. [These telegrams, and Mr. Seaman's answer, and answer from Mr. Brewer to telegram sent in accordance with the motion of the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel on the 29th June were also read to the Committee.] Letter from Mr. Mitchelson, dated the Ist July, 1886, read. On the motion of Dr. Newman, Besolved, That Mr. Seaman be instructed to come to Wellington forthwith, and that the Chairman telegraph again peremptorily. The Hon. Mr. Eichardson was present, and, having been examined, was thanked, and withdrew. On the motion pf the Hon. Mr. Ballance, Besolved, That the Chairman summon Mr. Ewen Alison to Wellington forthwith.

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