1.—14.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Thursday, 6th Octobee, 1910. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present Mr Allen, Mr Buchanan, Mr Fraser, Mr Graham. Mr Hanan, Mr Massey Hon Mr Millar, Mr Myers, Mr Reed, Right Hon. Sir J G Ward. The order of reference setting up the Committee was read. Proposed by the Right Hon Sir J G. Ward, and seconded by Mr Reed, That Mr Hanan be appointed Chairman of the Committee. On the question being put, it was carried unanimously Resolved, on the motion of Mr Reed, That all the proceedings of the Committee be taken down in shorthand. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J G. Ward, That Mr Hine, M.P., be invited to appear before the Committee at its next meeting, and fully formulate in writing or otherwise the charges which he made in the House, as referred to in the order of reference. The Chairman read a letter, marked 1, which he had just received from Mr Myers, barrister, Wellington, applying to the Committee for leave to appear as counsel in order to make any necessary preliminary applications. Resolved, to hold over Mr Myers's letter for further consideration. Resolved, on the motion of Mr Reed, That the Committee meet on Wednesday the 12th day of October, at 10.30 a.m. " On the suggestion of the Chairman, it was agreed that the evidence taken before the Committee should not be subjected to newspaper comment, but that the inquiry should be regarded as sub judice The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday, 12th Octobee, 1910. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present Mr Hanan (Chairman), Mr Allen, Mr Fraser, Mr Graham, Mr Massey Hon MiMillar, Mr Myers, Mr Reed, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman read the following copy of a letter, marked 2, which had been sent to Mr Hine, M.P : — " SlR >~~ tt " Wellington, 6th October, 1910. " I am directed by the Chairman and members of the Select Committee appointed by the House of Representatives to inquire into the allegations made by the member for Stratford during the debate on the Financial Statement, and published on page 461 of the second volume of Hansard for this session, dated 10th August, 1910, concerning the purchase of private estates by the Crown for the purposes of closer settlement, and which are more particularly set out in the copy of the order of reference enclosed herewith, to ask you to attend the next meeting of the Select Committee, to be held on Wednesday, the 12th October, at half past 10 of the clock in the forenoon, in Committee-room X, Old Parliamentary Buildings, and to fully formulate, in writing or otherwise, the said charges which you made and implied against certain persons not named. " I have, &c, . "G. F Bothamley, " one enclosure. " Clerk of the Committee. " J B. Hine, Esq , M.P , House of Representatives, Wellington." Mr Hine was called. He asked that his counsel, Mr M. Myers, be allowed to attend when the charges were being made. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J G Ward, That counsel be not admitted until Mr Hine has made his charges. Agreed, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J G. Ward, That the Press reporters be. admitted while Mr Hine is making his charges. Mr Hine then formulated charges, marked 3, which were taken down by the shorthand-writer Moved by Mr Massey, That Mr Hine should have the assistance of counsel. The Right Hon. Sir J G. Ward gave notice of motion that at the next meeting of the Committee he would move as follows: " That, as the names and charges have been formulated, and submitted by Mr Hine to this Committee, they be referred to two Judges of the Supreme Court, as a Royal Commission, to investigate and report upon." Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J G Ward, That a copy of each of the charges be sent to each of the individuals against whom the charges have been made. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the Committee adjourns until Thursday, the 13th day of October, at 10 a.m. The Committee then adjourned, ii—l. 14,

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