I.—7a

111

The examination of the Controller and Auditor-General re gold revenue was continued, and the Under-Secretary and the Hon. the Minister of Mines were also examined on the same subject, the evidence being taken down in shorthand by a reporter. The Et. Hon. E. J. Seddon gave notice that he would move, That the question raised by the Audit Department, that " notwithstanding the House of Representatives may vote a sum of money for defraying the cost of lighting and firing the official rooms at Government House, and the same shall be in the Appropriation Act, the Audit Department will not pass the same, and bases its refusal on the grounds that the Governor's Salaries and Expenses Act makes it illegal to pay the same," be considered by the Committee at its next meeting. The Committee adjourned till Friday next, at 10.30 a.m.

Eeiday, 16th Septembeb, 1898. The Committee met pursuant to notice; Present: Hon. W. J. M. Larnach (Chairman), Mr. Duthie, Mr. Praser, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McLean, Mr. McNab, Mr. Montgomery, Captain Eussell, Et. Hon. E. J. Seddon, Mr. Tanner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Controller and Auditor-General was examined with respect to the note made by him on the audit of the Post Office Account, the Secretary and Accountant.of the Post Office being present. A letter [Exhibit J] from the Controller and Auditor-General, dated the 13th September, in reference to his evidence on gold revenue having been read by the Clerk, Mr. Warburton was examined thereon. Besolved, on the motion of the Et. Hon. E. J. Seddon, in accordance with notice given, That the question raised by the Audit Department, that " notwithstanding the House of Bepresentatives may vote a sum of money for defraying the cost of lighting and firing the official rooms at Government House, and the same shall be in the Appropriation Act, the Audit Department will not pass the same, and bases its refusal on the grounds that the Governor's Salaries and Expenses Act makes it illegal to pay the same," be considered by the Committee. The Controller and Auditor - General was accordingly examined on the question. Mr. W. Gray, Secretary of the Post Office, was then examined on the note made by the Auditor-General on the audit of the Post Office Account (Parliamentary Paper F.-2, 1898). A shorthand reporter was present, and took down the evidence in shorthand. The Committee then adjourned till Wednesday next, at 10.30 a.m.

Thubsday, 22nd Septembee, 1898. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. W. J. M. Larnach (Chairman), Mr. J. Allen, Mr. Duthie, Mr. Eraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McLean, Mr. McNab, Mr. Montgomery, Captain Eussell, Et. Hon. E. J. Seddon, Hon. J. G. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A reporter was present, and took down the evidence in shorthand. The Secretary to the- Treasury and the Secretary to the Post Office were examined with respect to the note made by the Controller and Auditor-General on the audit of the Post Office Account (Parliamentary Paper E.-2, 1898). Besolved, That the Committee adjourn till Tuesday next, at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 27th Septembee, 1898. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present : Hon. W. J. M. Larnach (Chairman), Mr. Duthie, Mr. Eraser, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McLean, Mr. McNab, Mr. Montgomery, Captain Eussell, Et. Hon. E. J. Seddon, Mr. Tanner, Hon. J. G. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters, dated 24th September, from Mr. Gray [Exhibit P] and Mr. Warburton [Exhibit N], having been read, were ordered to be printed. Besolved, on the motion of the Et. Hon. E. J. Seddon, That a list of " Payments made by the Post Office on behalf of other departments " [Exhibit o], supplied by Mr. Gray, be printed. Besolved, on the motion of the Et. Hon. E. J. Seddon, That the Committee adjourn till 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday next.

Thuesday, 30th Sbptembee, 1898. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. W. J. M. Larnach (Chairman), Mr. Eraser, Mr. Guinness, Mr. McLean, Mr. Montgomery, Captain Eussell, Et. Hon. R. J. Seddon. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. T. A. Moresby, Eeceiver of Gold Eevenue, Paeroa, and the Controller and Auditor-General were examined as to the surcharge made upon the former by the Auditor-General for gold revenue not collected. A shorthand reporter was present, and took down the evidence. The Committee then adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday next.