1.—14.

(d.) Mr Symes, on the 4th October, 1905, in reply, wrote a letter which is set out in the evidence, and Mr McCluggage on receipt of this letter forwarded it to the secretary of the company (c.) Upon its *eceipt by the company, the secretary, Mr Whitlock, was instructed to proceed to Wellington to interview the Minister in Charge of the Advertising Department, and urge the claim of the newspaper to be placed on the departmental list. Mr Whitlock saw- the Minister in Charge (Sir Joseph Ward), who, without any stipulation or condition, directed the newspaper to be placed on the departmental list for Government advertisements. (/ Sir Joseph Ward was not shown nor informed of the contents of Mr Symes's letter to Mr McCluggage of the 4th October, 1905. Finding. 11 The Committee finds that the charge of a threat is not established. The letter of Mr Symes of the 4th October may possibly be susceptible of such construction, although it may not have been intended by the writer In construing the letter it must be remembered that it was a reply to a request made by Mr Symes that he would get a certain newspaper a share of Government advertiseing This advertising was authorized by the Government on application from Mr Whitlock, and without any representation to the Government from Mr. Symes. While finding that the charge has not been established, your Committee is of opinion that the letter in question was unfortunate in its terms. It is further regrettable that the usual obligations attaching to a confidential communication were not observed by those into whose hands Mr Symes's letter passed Paragraphs (a) and (b) read and agreed to. Paragraph (c). Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Fraser, That paragraph (c) be amended by inserting the words ' the name of the said " after the word "that " in the third line, and striking out the words " name to 'in the third and fourth lines, and inserting the word should ' in lieu thereof Paragraph as amended agreed to. Paragraph (d) read and agreed to. Paragraph (c). Resolved, on the motion of the Right Hon. Sir J G Ward, That paragraph (c) be amended by striking out the words " Upon its " in the first line, and inserting the words " Subsequent to the 'in lieu thereof After the word " Company," in the first line, to insert the words " of the letter referred to in paragraph (d)." Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, to insert the word " said " before the word " newspaper " in the fourth and seventh lines. Paragraph as amended agreed to. Paragraph (/) read and agreed to. Resolved,, on the motion of the Chairman, That, the hour of 1 p.m. having arrived, the Committee do now adjourn until 10.30 a.m. on Friday, the 25th November next. The Committee adjourned accordingly

Friday, 25th November, 1910. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present Mr. Hanan (Chairman), Mr. Allen, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. Millar, Mr. Myers, Mr. Reed, Right Hon. Sir J G. Ward. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Reed gave notice of motion to move at a later period, " That the Committee finds that it has been conclusively shown that no charges of any kind have been established in this inquiry against the Seddon or Ward Administrations." Allegation No. 4. Finding considered. Moved by Mr. Massey, to strike out all the words down to the word " writer." Mr. Allen asked the Chairman for his ruling " Whether we are tied to the individual words, of the charge, or whether it is not our duty to decide upon the general impression of the charge." The Chairman ruled that they had to consider and find on each charge as it was specifically set out, and that there could be no amendment to alter the specific charge made and substitute a new charge. On the motion being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 4.—Mr. Allen, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Massey. Noes, 6.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Hanan, Hon. Mr. Millar, Mr. Myers, Mr. Reed, and the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. So it passed in Words retained. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Millar, to strike out the word " a " in the first line, and insert the word " the " in lieu thereof, and to insert after the word " threat " the words " as alleged," v—l, 14,

XXXIII