H.—No. 8,

REPORT OE JOINT COMMITTEE

6

Hon. Mr. Williamson laid before tho Committee a Eeport of " The Bay of Islands Coal Company, Limited," for the year ending 30th April, 1872. The Eeport was read by the Chairman. The Hon. Mr. Williamson also gave evidence relative to Colonial coal. On the motion of Mr. Murray it was Resolved, That the Chairman be asked to ascertain from the Government what is being done by the Kawa Kawa Coal Company to have a railway from the mine constructed. The Committee adjourned until Wednesday next, at 10.30. Wednesday, 14th August, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : Legislative Council. House of Representatives. Hon. Mr. Edwards, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Colonel Kenny, Mr. E. Bichardson, Hon. Mr. Williamson. Mr. Seymour, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. J. Shephard, Mr. Taiaroa. Hon. Colonel Whitmore in the Chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Krull's written evidence on beetroot was laid before the . Committee, and read by the Chairman. Dr. Hector attended before the Committee, and gave evidence relative to Colonial coal. Committee adjourned until Friday, at 10.30.

Friday, 16th August, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Legislative Council. House of Representatives. Hon. Mr. Holmes, Mr. Bathgate, Hon. Colonel Kenny, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Mantell, ■ Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Mr. Stokes, Mr. Peacock, Hon. Mr. Williamson. Mr. E. Bichardson, Mr. J. Shephard. Hon. Colonel Whitmore in the Chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. A telegram from J. W. Humphrey, Chairman of the Provisional Directory " Westport Coal Mining and Steam Navigation Company, Limited," to E. J. O'Conor, Esq., M.H.8., called for at the request of Chairman, relative to the encouragement of the whale fishery at Otago, was laid before the Committee and read by the Chairman. Resolved, That the Chairman should communicate with Mr. Taiaroa on the subject. Dr. Hector was in attendance, and examination resumed. O. Curtis, Esq., M.H.8., attended and gave evidence before the Committee relative to Colonial coal, and laid before the Committee two reports relative to the Brunner Coal Mine. Committee adjourned until Tuesday, at 10.30.

Tuesday, 20th August, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Legislative Council. House of Representatives. Hon. Mr. Mantell, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Mr. Stokes, Mr. Murray, Hon. Mr. Williamson. Mr. E. Bichardson, Mr. J. Shephard. Hon. Colonel Whitmore in the Chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Nancarrow, Inspector of Steam Boats, attended before the Committee and gave evidence. The Chairman laid before the Committee several letters and papers. It was Resolved, That Mr. Blackett should be requested to attend before the Committee on Friday Committee adjourned until Thursday next, at 10.30.

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