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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Feiday, 9th June, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allwright, Mr. Fergus, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Munro, Mr. Wright. Order of reference read. On the motion of Mr. Macandrew, seconded by Mr. Allwright, Mr. Munro took the chair. Mr. Macandrew read a memorandum from the Secretary of the Westport Colliery Company (Limited), copies of which memorandum were ordered to be sent to each member of the Committee on the motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Fergus. ' On the motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Fergus, the Clerk was ordered to request the presence of Dr. Hector and the Surveyor-General to give evidence. The Clerk was also ordered to request the presence of Captains Johnson and Fairchild for the same purpose. The meeting then adjourned.

Monday, 12th June, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fergus, Mr. Fish, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Levestam, Mr. Levin, Mr. Macandrew Mr. Wright, Mr. Munro (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. McKerrow, Surveyor-General, appeared, and gave evidence as to the extent of the coal field and as to the prohable quantity of coal therein. Mr. Cox attended with maps, &c, on behalf of Dr. Hector, who was unable to be present but who will appear on Wednesday next, the 14th June, 1882. Captains Johnson and Fairchild attended, and gave evidence. The Clerk was ordered to request the attendance of Mr. Blackett, Mr. Mackay, and Mr. C. T. O'Connor at the next meeting. The meeting then adjourned until Wednesday, the 14th June, 1882, at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 14th June, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allwright, Mr. Fergus, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Wright, Mr. Munro (Chairman). After hearing the evidence of Messrs. Mackay, Blackett, and O'Connor, the Committee adjourned sine die.

Monday, 19th June, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allwright, Mr. Fish, Mr. Levestam, Mr. Levin, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Munro (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. After hearing the evidence of Captain W. B. Williams, J. B. George, Esq., and Captain James Lees, the Committee adjourned until Wednesday, the 21st instant, at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 21st June, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allvvright, Mr. Levestam, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Munro (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Blair, Mr. Barr, and Mr. Dickson attended, and gave evidence. The Clerk was ordered to procure from the Eailway Department a return showing the tonnage outwards and inwards at the Port of Westport for the last year, and the dues collected thereon. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday, the 22nd June, 1882, at 10.30 a.m.

Thuesday, 22nd June, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fish, Mr. Levestam, Mr. Levin, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Munro (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. After hearing Mr. Burns's evidence, the Committee adjourned sine die.