1.—6,

2

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Feiday, Bth July, 1881. The Joint Committee met at 10 o'clock a.m. Present: Legislative Council —Hon. Captain Fraser, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. G. E. Johnson, Hon. Mr. Martin, Hon. Mr. Nurse, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter. House of Eepresentatives—Mr. Bain, Mr. Bastings, Mr. Beetham, Mr. Collins, Mr. De Lautour, Mr. Hirst, Captain Kennv, Mr. Pyke, Captain Eussell, Mr. Thomson. Orders of reference read. On the motion of Mr Beetbam, the Hon. Mr. Holmes took the chair. Mr. Fraser and Mr. Eees attended the Committee. Mr. Fraser, Earnscleugb, Otago, examined (See Appendix A). He then received the thanks of the Committee, and withdrew Mr. W G-. Eees, of Galloway Station, Otago, examined (See Appendix B). He was then thanked, and withdrew The Committee deliberated. Bewlved, That the Chairman is requested to telegraph to the Chairmen of the various Boards of Trustees for suggestions as to amendments in "The Eabbit Nuisance Act, 1880;" also that Mr. Gooch, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. J Martin, jun., and Mr. Bullen, of Kaikoura, be requested to attend the next sitting of the Committee. The Clerk was instructed to procure a return of the Government runs abandoned in consequence of the ravages of the rabbit pest. The Committee then adjourned until Tuesday next, at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 12th July, 1881. The Committee met at 10. 30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Captain Fraser, Hon. G-. It. Johnson, Hon. Mr. Martin, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Nurse, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Waterhouse. House of Eepresentatives —Mr. Bain, Mr. Bastings, Mr. Beetham, Mr. Collins. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. On motion of Hon. Mr. Waterhouse, Mr. Beetham took the chair. Resolved, That the printed list of questions be sent to the following gentlemen, with a request that they will offer any suggestions that occur to them with reference to the proposed amendment of the Eabbit Nuisance Act: C. E. Keene, Esq., Kaikoura; Mr. Shannon, Tapanui Plain; Mr. Kelly, Tapanui Plain: Burton Boyes, Esq., Carterton; E. Cuthbertson, Esq., Queenstown; J Ellis, Esq.' Merriville, Waiau ; J Stuckley, Esq., Eangitumau; A. D. Bell, Esq., Shag Valley; E. Gr. Price' Esq.' Biverton ; E. S. Hawkins, Esq., Bowlands, Masterton; C. Basstian, Esq., Woodstock, Dacre, Southland • W S. Stevens, Esq., Gummie's Bush, Eiverton, Southland ; the various Sheep Inspectors. Besolved, That J J Hankinson Esq., Union Bank of Australia, be requested to attend the Committee. The Hon. Captain Eraser dissenting. (Telegram sent 12th July, 1881.) The Chairman informed the Committee that Mr. Gooch, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. J Martin, jun., and Mr. Bullen had been requested to attend the Committee; also that a circular telegram had been sent to the Chairmen of the various Boards of Eabbit Trustees, in these terms : " Forward suggestions as to proposed amendments in 'The Eabbit Nuisance Act, 1880,' without delay ;" and that Mr. McCulloch, Invercargiil, had been telegraphed as follows: " State defect in Act which prevented you from granting verdict in favour of Eabbit Trustees some time ago." Mr. McCulloch replied: "Section 18. ' Efficient steps' too vague. Two cases in November last: Spencer dismissed owing to defective information. Lawrence showed he had made reasonable efforts by dogs, poison, &c, and bounded by large blocks of unoccupied lands and bush reserves." Besolved, That the Clerk ascertains if Sheep Inspectors have reported under the Act, also that he procures from the Customs Department a return of rabbitskins exported during the last three years up to the latest date. (Letters seat, 12th July, 1881.) On motion of Hon. Mr Menzies, Besolved, That the list of printed questions be reconsidered and reprinted, before sent to the above-named gentlemen. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday next, at 10.30 a.m.

Thursday, 14th July, 1881. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Captain Eraser, Hon. G. S. Johnson, Hon. Mr. Martin, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Nurse, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Waterhouse. House of Eepresentatives Mr. Bastings, Mr. Beetham, Mr. Collins, Mr. Thomson. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Jackson, of Stonestead, Featherston, examined (See Appendix C). He was then thanked, and withdrew Mr. Buchanan, of Tupurupuru, Carterton, examined (See Appendix D). He having received the thanks of the Committee, withdrew The Committee deliberated. The Committee then adiourned until Tuesday next, at 10.30 a.m.