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The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. McKerrow, the Surveyor-General, attended with maps and report, and gave evidence. On motion of Mr. Seddon, Besolved, That the road from Marlborough Town to Eenwick Town, 7 miles, Marlborough County, previously disallowed under a misapprehension of Mr. McKerrow, the Surveyor-General, be now reinstated, and form part of the schedule of main roads. Mr. Seddon moved, That, the Committee having reinstated a certain road in the Schedule, it is desirable that the Committee commence de novo, with a view of reinstating those roads struck out. On a division it was negatived by 6 votes to 3. Ayes, 3.—Mr. Larnach, Mr. Mitchelson, Mr. Seddon. Noes, 6. —Mr. Beetham, Mr. Cadman, Captain McKenzie, Mr. Postlethwaite, Mr. Sutton, Mr. J. W. Thomson. On motion of Mr. Seddon, Besolved, That Mr. McKerrow's report be received, and lie on the table. On motion of Mr. Mitchelson, Besolved, That this Committee do now proceed to the next question on the order of reference. On motion of Mr. Mitchelson, Besolved, That on Thursday next the Committee meet at 11 a.m., for the purpose of finally reviewing the schedules of roads that have already been before the Committee, and that Mr. McKerrow be requested to attend with a full and final report. On motion of Mr. Seddon, Besolved, That this Committee be adjourned till Thursday, the 16th instant, at 11 a.m., when it is suggested that members should bring up such amendments as they think will be desirable in the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act. Mr. Beetham gave notice of motion, That the road on the main road schedule, known as the Te Ore Ore to Bideford, 12 miles, Wairarapa County West, be reinstated on the schedule to be recommended to the House by this Committee. The Committee then adjourned till Thursday, the 16th August, at 11 a.m.

Thuesdat, 16th August, 1883. The Committee met pursant to notice. Present: Mr. Shephard (Chairman), Mr. Beetham, Mr. Cadman, Mr. Larnach, Captain McKenzie, Mr. Mitchelson, Mr. Postlethwaite, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Sutton, Mr. J. W. Thomson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Larnach gave notice that at the next meeting he should move, That all roads struck out in the schedule of main roads now before the Committee~be reinstated. Mr. Beetham moved, That a Sub-Committee should be appointed for the purpose of tabulating the suggestions forwarded to the Chairman. Sub-Committee to consist of Mr. Sutton, Mr. Shephard, Mr. McKenzie, and the mover. Mr. Larnach moved, as an amendment, That it be a recommendation of this Committee that the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act be not amended or altered this session, but that it be considered and suggestions for its improvement made during the recess. On a division the motion of Mr. Beetham was carried by 5 votes to 4. Ayes, s.—Mr. Beetham, Mr. Cadman, Mr. Mitchelson, Mr. Postlethwaite, Mr. Sutton. Noes, 4.—Mr. Larnach, Captain McKenzie, Mr. Seddon, Mr. J. W. Thomson. Mr. Seddon moved, That an interim report of the proceedings and conclusions arrived at by this Committee be presented to the House. Mr. Cadman moved, as an amendment, That the Committee feel that at the present stage of their proceedings they cannot present any report to the House. On being put the motion was negatived, and the amendment agreed to. On the motion of Mr. Seddon, Besolved, That the Chairman be authorized to ask for ten days' extension of time to bring up the report. Decided by the Committee that suggestions for the amendment of the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act be received up to 11 a.m. on Friday, the 16th instant. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 21st August, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Shephard (Chairman), Mr. Beetham, Mr. Cadman, Mr. Larnach, Captain McKenzie, Mr. Mitchelson, Mr. Postlethwaite, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Sutton, Mr. J. W. Thomson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A printed list of suggestions made by members of the Committee of amendments in the Boads and Bridges Construction Act was laid on the table (see Appendix.) Mr. Sutton moved, That the first motion under heading "Description of Main Eoads," in the printed list of suggestions for the amendment of the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act, standing in his name, be adopted as follows: (1) That the Act should show more clearly than it does at present that the main roads designation only affects such roads as regards, construction; and that it is the duty of the local body, out of its own resources, to provide for the entire cost of maintenance. (2) That the list of main roads should be divided into two schedules; one schedule to embrace all main roads not yet made, the other to embrace all main roads which have been formed and metalled. (3) That the list be revised each session, and that, as regards all main roads formed and metalled, no allocation shall be made except as regards building or reconstruction of bridges on such main roads. Mr. Beetham moved, After the word " maintenance," to add the words, " with the exception of sxtraordinary damage."

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