5

I.—sa

The Committee divided on the motion, and the names were taken down, with the following result: — Ayes, I.—Mr. Cowan. Noes, B.—Mr. Kerr, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Beeves, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Whyte. The motion was negatived. The examination of Mr. John Gilliand was then resumed, and his evidence taken down. The Hon. Mr. Eichardson handed in a communication from Messrs. Harriss and Troup, suggesting that certain residents in Woodville should be summoned to give evidence. On motion of Mr. Smith, Besolved, That the following witnesses be summoned to give evidence before the Committee on Friday next: Mr. A. Peebles, sen., Mr. A. Peebles, jun., Mr. J. Sowry, Mr. James Morgan, Mr. Edward A. Haggan. The Committee then adjourned to the following day.

Thuesday, 28th August, 1890. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. J. Pulton (Chairman), Mr. Cowan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Ehodes, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Smith. On motion of Mr. Smith, Besolved, That Mr. Bowe-Fennell, of Woodville, be resummoned to give evidence before the Committee on dummyism. The Committee then took up the consideration of dummyism. Mr. Eobert Lowe was re-examined before the Committee, and his evidence taken down. The Committee then adjourned.

Friday, 29th August, 1890. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Ehodes, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Whyte. A letter from Mr. C. B. Morrison, solicitor, Wellington, asking permission from the Chairman to attend before the Committee on behalf of Mr. J. Sowry, a witness summoned to give evidence on the subject of dummyism, was read. Besolved, That the Committee decline to hear Mr. Morrison, and refuse his request to be present at the inquiry. Mr. Troup made application that he be allowed to remain in the Committee-room during the examination of witnesses. Besolved, That Mr. Troup's application be refused. The Committee then took up the examination of witnesses relative to alleged dummyism at a sale of Section 1, Block XIV., Woodville. The following witnesses were then examined on oath before the Committee, and their evidence taken down : Mr. A. Peebles, sen., Mr. A. Peebles, jun., Mr. J. Sowry, Mr. Eowe-Fennell, Mr. J. Morgan, Mr. E. A. Haggan. On motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. McKenzie, Besolved, That in the case of Section 1, Block XIV., Woodville, drawn by Joseph Sowry at the land sale in Napier, in November last, the Hon. the Minister of Lands be recommended to hold an inquiry into the matter as provided by the Land Act, and also, if necessary, to take action in a Court of law. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 2nd Septembeb, 1890. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Ehodes, Hon. Mr. Richardson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Thompson. The Committee took up the consideration of dummyism. On motion of Mr. Smith, Besolved, That the report of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, dated Napier, 18th July, 1890, should be printed along with the evidence. On motion of Mr. McKenzie, seconded by Mr. Ehodes, Besolved, That the following be the report of the Committee on the subject of dummyism: "That the evidence adduced before this Committee during the dummyism inquiry having shown conclusively that the Land Acts have been in a number of instances evaded by false declarations made with a view to dummying, the Committee is of opinion that it is the duty of the Government to take steps to enforce the law, and recommend that offenders against whom a charge will lie be prosecuted, with a view to the putting a stop to the like practice in the future." Mr. McKenzie moved, That the evidence of Messrs. Low and Gilliand, which had been taken, should be printed along with the rest of the evidence on dummyism. The Committee divided on the motion, and their names were taken down, with the following result:—• Ayes, 3. —Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Smith. Noes, 6. —Mr. Cowan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Ehodes, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr, Thompson. The motion was negatived, and the evidence ordered not to be printed,