1.—14.

Mr J W Poynton, Secretary to the Treasury, Wellington, handed in an exhibit marked J 1 Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That, the hour of 6 p.m. having arrived, the Committee do now adjourn until 7 30 p.m. The Committee adjourned accordingly The Committee resumed at 7 30 p.m. Present Mr Hanan (Chairman), Mr. Allen, Mr Buchanan, Mr Fraser, Mr Graham, Mr Massey, Hon Mr Millar, Mr Myers, Mr. Reed, and the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. (26.) John Douglas Ritchie was further examined by the members of the Committee and Mr M. Myers. (27 ) Alexander Barron, retired Civil servant, and formerly Land Purchase Officer, Wellington, was sworn, and examined by Mr M. .Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C , and the members of the Committee, and produced exhibit marked Kl' Mr M. Myers asked that the further hearing of this allegation be continued on Friday next. Resolved, on the motion of Mr Fraser, That the Committee deliberate. Strangers withdrew Moved by the Hon. Mr Millar, That the Committee proceed with the case, and take the evidence of Mr A. L. Wilson. On the question being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow Ayes, s. —Mr Graham, Mr Hanan, Hon. Mr Millar, Mr Myers, Mr Reed. Noes, If.— Mr Allen, Mr Buchanan, Mr. Fraser, Mr Massey So it was resolved in the affirmative. Mr Massey gave notice of motion that he would move at the next meeting, That a return be prepared showing all the disbursements by the Government in connection -with the purchase of Flaxbourne, showing to whom payments were made and the services rendered therefor this not to include the payments for the property itself Further evidence was then heard. (28.) Alexander Lorimer Wilson, auctioneer, Wellington, was sworn, and examined by Mr M Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C, and the members of the Committee. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon Sir J G Ward, That the Chairman telegraph to Mr W E Griffin, of Napier, asking why he is not in Wellington to give evidence, and to attend at once. Re allegation No. 8 (29 ) Remana Nutana, aboriginal Native, Onehunga, Auckland, was sworn, and examined by Mr M. Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C , and the members of the Committee. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That, the hour of 11 50 p.m. having arrived the Committee do now adjourn. The Committee adjourned accordingly

Tuesday, 15th November, 1910. The Committee met at 11 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr Hanan (Chairman), Mr Allen, Mr Buchanan, Mr Fraser, Mr Graham Mr Massey, Mr Myers, Hon. Mr Millar, Mr Reed, Right Hon. Sir J G Ward. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Clerk read correspondence marked 116, as follows :— (116.) Telegram dated 14th November, to W E Griffin. Mr Massey moved, That a return be prepared showing all the disbursements by the Government in connection with the purchase of Flaxbourne, showing to whom payments were made and the services rendered therefor—this not to include the payments for the property itself On the question being put, the Committee divided, "and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, s.—Mr. Allen, Mr Buchanan, Mr Fraser, Mr Massey, Right Hon. Sir J. G Ward. Noes, s.—Mr Graham, Mr Hanan, Hon. Mr Millar, Mr Myers, Mr Reed. The voting being equal, the Chairman gave his casting-vote'with the noes. So it passed in the negative. Re allegation numbered 9 : — Mr Hine, M.P , with his counsel, Mr M. Myers, and Mr Henare Kaihau, with his counsel Mr Skerrett, K.C. (with him Mr Sharp), attended. (30.) Horomona Watarauihi, aboriginal Native, Waingaro, was sworn, and examined, through Mr Barclay, Native interpreter, by Mr. M Myers, Mr Skerrett, X.C , and the members of the Committee. The Right Hon. Sir J G Ward handed in a letter from Sir George Clifford Bart marked "Exhibit LI " , ~ Re allegation numbered 6 : — (31 ) James Carroll, member of the House of Representatives for Gisborne, and Native Minister, was sworn, and made a statement re the Te Akau Block. Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J G Ward, That, the hour of 1 p.m. having arrived, the Committee do now adjourn until 10.30" a.m. on Wednesday next. The Committee adjourned accordingly iv—l. 14,

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