3

1.—7

Thursday, 30th August, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 10.30 o'clock. Present : Mr. Bunny, Mr, Fisher, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. De Lautour, Hon. Mr. Ormond. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Macandrew, That Mr. De Lautour do take the chair in the absence of Mr. Pyke. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. John Roberts was examined. Mr. Pyke here resumed the chair. Notes of evidence given by Mr. Roberts having been read over to him, he received the thanks of the Committee and withdrew. The Committee then adjourned until Tuesday, 4th September, at 10.30 o'clock.

Tuesday, 4th September, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 10.30 o'clock. Present: Mr. Pyke in the chair. Mr. Carrington, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. De Lautour, Hon. Mr. McLean. Mr. Fisher, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Order of reference of 30th August read. The Chairman stated to the Committee that he had applied for and obtained leave from the House for an extension of the time for seven days in which to bring up their report. Order of reference of 31st August read. The Chairman informed the Hon. Mr. McLean as to the action taken by the Committee up to the present date. Resolved, on the motion of the -Hon. Mr. McLean, That the House be moved to request the attendance of the Hon. Sir F. Dillon Bell at the next meeting of the Committee. The Committee then adjourned until "Wednesday, sth September, at 10.30 o'clock.

Wednesday, sth Septembeb, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 10.30 o'clock. Peesent: Mr. Pyke in the chair. Mr. Bunny, Mr. Hislop, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. De Lautour, Hon. Mr. McLean, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Stout. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Sir F. D. Bell attended to give evidence, which was duly taken down by the reporter in attendance. Order of reference of 4th September read. Petition of 3,150 residents of the Provincial District of Otago read. (Appendix A.) The Chairman laid before the Committee, copy of a resolution passed by the Clyde Council, dated 3rd July (Appendix B). Copy of resolutions passed by the Vincent County Council, dated. 24th July (Appendix D). Copy of resolutions passed by the Maniototo County Council, dated 28th July (Appendix C). " Resolved, On motion of Mr. Macandrew, That the following draft of resolutions for adoption by the Committee, be printed and circulated among the members: — Having taken evidence as to the relative merits of the various proposed lines of railway into the interior of Otago, the Committee find, — 1. That the route to Cromwell via Strath Taieri is unquestionably that which opens up the largest area of unsold land available fur pastoral and agricultural settlement. 2. That it is the route that will best meet the requirements of the majority of the mining population now in Otago. 3. That the respective County Councils of Taieri, Maniototo, and Vincent, failing the Colonial Government undertaking the work, are prepared to do so, on condition of a given area of land being placed at their disposal, and to hand over the line when completed to the Government. 4. That a public company can be at once formed in Dunedin which will undertake to construct this line under Government supervision, provided a concession is made to them of 300,000 acres of land, being about one-fourth the area of the unsold land which will be tapped by the said railway. 5. That it is the duty of the Government to construct this line, and that, failing this, it is absolutely necessary in the interest of settlement that the work shall be forthwith proceeded with, either by the counties concerned or by a private company ; and that, in either case, with a view to accelerate the progress of the work, and of diffusing employment throughout the district, the work of construction should be commenced at each end of the line, and at one or more points in the centre, simultaneously. The Committee then adjourned until Friday, 7th September, at 10.30 o'clock.