21

o.—B

The committee then adjourned to the office of the Mokihinui Coal Company (Limited) for the purpose of taking evidence, when there were in attendance Messrs. Macarthy, Allen, Barton, and Gale (directors), and Mr. O'Conor. Mr. Eugene O'Conor, M.H.E., formerly managing director of the company, made a statement, which was taken down by the shorthand-writer. The committee adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday at Mr. O'Conor's request, to enable him to further examine the books and papers of the company, which were ordered to be placed at his disposal during the whole of the intervening period.

Third Day, Wednesday, 16th November, 1892. The committee met at 10.30 a.m. Present: The full committee, and Messrs. Macarthy, Allen, Barton, and Gale (directors), and Mr. Eugene O'Conor. The chairman reported the receipt of a letter from Mr. O'Conor, dated the 15th instant. Mr. O'Conor continued his statement and concluded it, notes of the same being taken by the shorthand-writer. * The committee adjourned till 7.30 p.m., to enable the directors to consult together with a view to arranging their course of procedure in reference to their reply to the charges made by Mr. O'Conor. Evening Sitting. Present: The full committee ; and in attendance, Messrs. Macarthy, Allen, and Gale (directors), and Mr. O'Conor. Mr. Macarthy, chairman of directors, presented a written statement indicating the course proposed to be taken by the directors. A discussion ensued, which was taken down by the shorthand-writer. The committee adjourned until Monday next, on the understanding that the directors should be supplied on Friday at 10 a.m. with a copy of the shorthand-writer's transcript of the notes taken of Mr. O'Conor's statements, such transcript to be corrected and signed by Mr. O'Conor. »

Fourth Day, Friday, 18th November, 1892. The committee met, at Mr. O'Conor's request, at 11 a.m. Present: The full committee. Mr. O'Conor requested that one or more clerks should be appointed to take the necessary extracts from the books and records of the company referred to by him in his statement, as his statement was valueless without them. They were the evidence upon which he relied. Mr. Arthur Kember and Mr. Gibson were appointed to undertake the work, and ordered to proceed immediately. A telegram was ordered to be despatched to the secretary of the company at the racecourse for keys of safe, in order that the work could be proceeded with. During the day the keys were procured and the work proceeded with, Mr. O'Conor and Mr. Greenland being in attendance.

Fifth Day, 21st November, 1892. The committee met at 10 a.m. Present: The full committee, and Messrs. Macarthy, Allen, Gale (directors), and Mr. O'Conor. The chairman stated that he had received from Mr. O'Conor a copy of his corrected statements, accompanied by a letter, and detailed what had taken place since Wednesday evening, a note of which was taken. A discussion ensued, which was taken down by the shorthand-writer. The gentlemen in attendance on the committee then withdrew for ten minutes. Mr. Miles moved, " That this inquiry shall not proceed further until the committee has received from Mr. O'Conor at least one of the copies of the records and documents made by the clerks employed by the committee, which copies Mr. O'Conor, without the authority of the committee, has taken away." Mr. Greenland moved, as an amendment, that the following words be added to the motion: " Such copy to remain with the committee for its own particular use." Amendment negatived. Motion agreed to. The substance of the motion having been communicated to the parties interested, the committee adjourned till 2 p.m. Afternoon Sitting. The committee met at 2 p.m. Present: The full committee. Besolved, on motion of Mr. Greenland, " That any member of the committee be supplied with any documents he requires for the use of -the committee from the records of the company during the sittings of the committee." Proposed by Mr. Greenland, " That, the committee being now in full possession of the charges made by Mr. O'Conor, the inquiry do now take place forthwith, commencing with the first charge against the balance-sheet of 1890." Mr. Miles moved, as an amendment, " That, as Mr. O'Conor has not yet complied with the resolution carried this morning by this committee calling upon him to deliver to the committee at least one of the copies of the extracts from the records and books of the company prepared by the clerks appointed by this committee, and which were taken by Mr. O'Conor from the office without the consent of the committee, the committee adjourn until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 22nd instant,