E.—No. 1

Monday, 3kd August, 1868. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Peeseitt: Mr. Campbell, Captain Kenny, Mr. Carleton, Mr. Morvyn, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Fox, Hon. Mr. Stafford, Hon. Mr. Hall, Mr. Vogel. Mr. Jollie, Proposed by the Hon. Mr. Stafford, and seconded by Mr. Mervyn, That Mr. Jollie do take the chair. Agreed to. The Committee deliberated upon their future proceedings. Proposed by the Hon. Mr. Hall, That the following Members of this Committee be requested to prepare, for the use of this Committee, an analysis of the various Provincial Acts providing for the establishment of Eoad Districts, such analysis to show generally the size of the districts, tho mode of rating, the mode of election, the full extent and character of the endowments afforded to Eoad Districts, and generally the powers of the Eoad Boards, viz., the Chairman, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Eeid, Mr. Carleton, and Mr. Fox. That the Chairman be requested to obtain such clerical and other assistance as he may deem necessary for the purpose. Unanimously agreed to. Proposed by Mr. Vogel, That the Members from the different Provinces be requested to bring up reports of the special circumstances affecting the several Provinces, provision for which they consider will require to be made in the Bill. Agreed to unanimously. Adjourned, with tho understanding that the five above-named gentlemen do meet on Wednesday next, the sth instant, at 11 o'clock a.m.

Wednesday, sth August, 1868. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Peesent : Mr. Carleton, Mr. Jollie, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Eeid. Mr. Fox, The Hon. Mr. Hall laid upon the Table Eeturns of the Eoad Districts in Canterbury, Taranaki, Marlborough, and Southland, for the information of the Committee. Mr. Carleton read and laid upon the Table a Memorandum descriptive of the several Eoad Boards Acts passed by the Auckland Provincial Council. Mr. Curtis read and laid upon the Table a Memorandum of the provisions of the Eoad Boards Act in the Province of Nelson. Mr. Fox laid upon the Table a Provincial Government Eeturn containing information respecting the District Highways Acts in the Province of Wellington. Ordered, That a tabular statement be prepared, setting forth the different particulars specified in the resolution proposed by the Hon. Mr. Hall, in so far as they can be ascertained. The Committee then adjourned.

"Wednesday, 12th August, 1868. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Pjiesent : Mr. Carleton, Mr. Fox, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Eeid. Mr. Jollie in the Chair. A Tabular Statement, setting forth, in a concise form, the particulars required relative to the various District Eoad Boards, was laid on the Table by the Chairman; also, Analyses of the several Provincial Acts relative to Road Boards. Adjourned to Friday, at 1030 a.m., when the whole Committee are to be requested to attend. * For the Eoport of the Committee, see Journals of House of Representatives, page 147.

PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE.*