L—7b.

Friday, 16th August, 1895. Present: Mr. Saunders (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. Lang, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir R. Stout, Hon. Mr. Ward. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Secretary to the Treasury wrote, enclosing statements of the information asked for in the resolutions moved by the Hon. Sir R. Stout and the Hon. Mr. Ward. Mr. Heywood also wrote that he was unable to attend the Committee to-day through illness. Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir R. Stout, That the further consideration of the statements be postponed until Mr. Heywood could attend. After discussion, Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir R. Stout, That copies of the letter of the 15th August, 1895, covering the statement on interest, &c, together with the statement, be supplied to each member of the Committee. The Committee then adjourned until Tuesday next, at 11 o'clock a.m.

Wednesday, 9th October, 1895. Present: Hon. Mr. Larnach (Chairman), Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Lang, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir R. Stout, Mr. T. Thompson, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward. (Prior to this meeting Mr. Saunders resigned on account of illness, and the Hon. Mr. Larnach was elected Chairman.) The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Notice of motion re £145,400 debentures. The Hon. Sir R. Stout moved, That the Secretary to the Treasury and the Auditor-General be respectively asked to state how the amount of £145,400 debentures, issued this year under "The Consolidated Stock Act, 1884," was arrived at; specifying the various sinking funds against which debentures have been issued. Besolved, That the further consideration be postponed till Tuesday next. The Hon. Sir R. Stout gave notice to move on Tuesday next, That the Committee report to the House the result of their investigations regarding the interest payable by the colony, and regarding the amount of securities in England last year. The Committee then adjourned until Friday next, at 11 o'clock a.m.

Tuesday, 15th October, 1895. Present: Hon. Mr. Larnach (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Montgomery, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir R. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Mr. T. Thompson, and Hon. Mr. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The following notices of motion by the Hon. Sir R. Stout were adjourned till next meeting:— (a.) That the Secretary to the Treasury and the Controller and Auditor-General be respectively asked to state how the amount of £145,400 debentures, issued this year under " The Consolidated Stock Act, 1884," was arrived at, specifying the various sinking funds against which these debentures have been issued. (b.) That the Committee report to the House the result of their investigation regarding the interest payable by the colony, and regarding the amount of securities in England last year. The Committee then adjourned sine die.

Wednesday, 23rd October, 1895. Present: Hon. Mr. Larnach (Chairman), Mr. Button, Mr. McGowan, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Montgomery, Dr. Newman, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir R. Stout, and Hon. Mr. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Hon. Sir R. Stout moved, That the Secretary to the Treasury and the Controller and Auditor-General be respectively asked to state how the amount of £145,400 debentures, issued this year under " The Consolidated Stock Act, 1884," was arrived at, specifying the various sinking funds against which these debentures have been issued. The Hon. Mr. Seddon moved by way of amendment, That the Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. J. B. Heywood) and the Controller and Auditor-General (Mr. J. E. FitzGerald) be asked to attend to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. and give evidence in reference to the issue of £145,400 debentures, and bring with them a statement how it is arrived at. The Hon. Sir R. Stout agreed to this, and the amendment was put as the substantive motion and resolved in the affirmative. The Hon. Sir R. Stout moved, That the Committee report to the House the result of their investigations regarding the interest payable by the colony and regarding the amount of securities in England last year. The Hon. Mr. Seddon suggested that, as Mr. Heywood would be in attendance to-morrow, the motion be postponed till after his attendance. Motion adjourned accordingly. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

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