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I presume there is nothing to conspire about ?—No; nothing beyond what I have ]ust stated. Mr. Pirani.] I should like to ask Mr. Grey what he means by the remark m his statement of Mr Barron and Mr. Leslie "having daily taken counsel together," &c? —They have both been constantly talking over this matter, and Mr. Leslie has been known to have been very busily employed every day in canvassing members of the House ? Any members of the Committee ? Can you name anybody ?—He has been lobbying among the members generally. Last night, for instance, he was seen lobbying Mr. Wilson, and one other evening he was lobbying Captain Russell. It is well known he has been doing a great deal of lobbying during this inquiry. . • I think it is rather a wide statement to say that he was canvassing members without giving some evidence ?—I have given you evidence on that head. Mr. Garncross.] Mr. Grey, you alluded to Mr. Barren's office as a sinecure ?—Yes ; ever since withdrawing from the gallery his office has been a decided sinecure. Some witnesses say they think another note-taker should be appointed. In the event of another note-taker being appointed, what is your opinion then ?—He would have a more comfortable sinecure still. Mr. Leslie examined. The Chairman ; Has the Committee any questions to ask Mr. Leslie ? Mr. Pirani.] Does Mr. Leslie know what Mr. Grey means about the private affairs between himself awl Mr. Barron?—l have not the slightest conception to what Mr. Grey alludes. What do you mean in your statement by "If inquiry were pushed to the end of the matter substantial reason would be found to account for Mr. Leslie's excess of zeal on Mr. Barren's behalf, apart altogether from the Hansard question "?—I have not the slightest idea as to what that can possibly allude. As regards my relations with Mr. Barron I have always endeavoured to do my duty to my chief and to the other members of the staff, and I think so far from anything Mr. Grey implies, Mr. Spragg will bear me out in saying that I have once or twice mentioned to him that I have considered that Mr. Barron has been a little unfair to me in small matters. Do you remember the time when Mr. Grey was in charge of the Hansard staff?—-I remember Mr. Grey being in charge on one or two occasions. Do you think he carried out the duties satisfactorily ?—So far as my observation went his duties simply amounted to writing up the " turns " in the book, and other unimportant details. I remember that on one or two occasions during the time Mr. Grey was left in charge there were serious altercations between him and one other member of the staff in consequence of a misunderstanding as to the length of time a member was left in the gallery. As regards the duties not connected immediately with the gallery I cannot say anything. Mr. Garncross.] You heard Mr. Grey state he looks upon Mr. Barren's position as a sinecure, Mr. Leslie. What is your opinion ?—I think the statement as to the office being a sinecure must, if for one reason only, be seen by every one to be an absolute untruth, from the fact that Mr. Barron is engaged in transcription from the time the House meets till it rises; therefore any one saying that the office is a sinecure is not stating fact. If another note-taker was engaged would Mr. Barron still have the same duties to perform? — If another note-taker was engaged Mr. Barron's duties would be exactly as they are now. Of course the appointing of another note-taker would mean less work for the staff. The Chairman.] With regard to this allegation of canvassing members in connection with this matter. How much truth is there in it Mr. Leslie? —In every action I have taken in connection with this matter I have consulted Mr. Speaker first. I have made it a practice, previous to this, never to mention outside the Hansard room anything in connection with the work at all. I have on several occasions been asked questions by members about the work and the staff, but I have always declined to talk about the room or the work. This session I was asked by a member of the Eeporting and Debates Committee if I knew anything about a document that had been forwarded to the Committee. I did not know anything about it, but subsequently knew that other members of the staff had been communicating with members about the chief of the staff. I consulted the Speaker as to what he considered it my duty to do, and it was after consulting him that I have taken every action I have taken. Before I wrote the letter to you, Mr. Chairman, I consulted the Speaker. On no single occasion has Mr. Barron been consulted by me or informed by me as to what I was going to do. As regards canvassing members, I have spoken to a great many members in connection with this matter, but in almost every instance I have been spoken to on the subject first. I may say on one occasion I spoke to Captain Russell in connection with this matter. The Chairman : The suggestion apparently, as far as one can read it in Mr. Grey's letter, is that there were some private relations with reference to the Chief Reporter and Mr. Leslie which would lead him to take the Chief Reporter's side. Mr. Duthie : It is all in the report. Mr. Speagg examined. The Chairman : Has the Committee any questions to ask Mr. Spragg? Mr Pirani.] I would like to ask Mr. Spragg if he remembers the time when Mr. Grey was in charge of the Hansard staff ?—I remember it; but I really do not think it is worth going into. Mr. Grey puts himself down as an authority as to how the chief of the Hansard staff should do his work. Mr. Grey had an opportunity of doing the same work, and I want to know if those members engaged with him were satisfied he would make a satisfactory chief ?—The trouble which Mr Leslie referred, to between Mr. Grey and a member of the staff when Mr. Grey was in charge arose from a mistake. I was put in the gallery, and the "turns" were subsequently changed, when in Committee, from fifteen minutes to half an hour. The House resumed, and I had no time