£;-#*

under the Act would go to assist those ratepayers only who were willing to tax themselves the most heavily, thereby insuring a fair expenditure of the grant in those districts where it is most required and would be most appreciated. Mr. Seddon moved, That Mr. Beetham's motion and Mr. Sutton's alteration of the same be struck out. On the question, "That Mr. Beetham's motion remain," being put to the Committee, it was negatived by 5 votes to 2. The clauses were accordingly struck out. Noes, 5. —Mr. Cadman, Mr. Postlethwaite, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Sutton, Mr. J. W. Thomson. Ayes, 2.—Mr. Beetham, Mr. Mitchelson. .: Mr. Shephard moved, That the motion standing in his name under " General Suggestions " be adopted as follows: That applications shall have precedence in the distribution of funds in the following order :—l. Extraordinary damage (section 35). 2. Erection of bridges. 3. Formation of roads. -.; On being put to the Committee it was agreed to. It was decided by the Committee that Mr. McKerrow, the Surveyor-General, be requested toattend the following day with his report on the roads struck out of the schedule of main roads. The Committee then adjourned till Wednesday, the 22nd August, at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, 22nd August, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Shephard (Chairman), Mr. Beetham, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Mitchelsou, Captain Mackenzie, Mr. Postlethwaite, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Sutton, Mr. J. W. Thomson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. McKerrow, the Surveyor-General, attended with his report. Mr. Beetham brought forward his motion of which he had given notice, 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 the Committee. On being put to the Committee it was carried. Mr. Seddon moved, That Mr. McKerrow's report be read. Mr. McKerrow then proceeded to read his report. On motion of Mr. Sutton, Besolved, That the road, Manurewa Bail way Station, eastward, to Howick-Wairoa Eoad, 7 miles, Manukau County, recommended by Mr. McKerrow as coming under the definition of main roads adopted by the Committee, previously struck out, be reinstated. On motion of Mr. Seddon, Besolved, That the word "connect," before the words " two or more counties," in the resolution defining main roads adopted by the Committee, be struck out, and the words " run through " be substituted in the place thereof. Mr. McKerrow, the Surveyor-General, asked leave to amend his report in accordance with the foregoing resolution.—Granted. Mr. Larnach moved his motion, of which he had given notice, That it be a recommendation of this Committee to the House that all roads that have been considered now participate in moneys under the Eoads and Bridges Construction Act, together with any road applications that may come in during the present month of August. On a division there were 3 votes for it and 3 against it. The Chairman gave his casting vote against it. Ayes, 3.—Mr. Beetham, Mr. Larnach, Mr. J. W. Thomson. N oes> 4._Mr. Shephard (Chairman), Mr. Mitchelson, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Sutton. On motion of Mr. Mitchelson, Besolved, That a Sub-Committee be appointed for the purpose of preparing the report to be presented to the House; the Sub-Committee to consist of Mr. Beetham, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Shephard, Mr. Sutton, and Mr. J. W. Thomson. The Committee then adjourned till Thursday, the 23rd instant, at 11 a.m.

Thuesday, 23bd August, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Shephard (Chairman), Mr. Beetham, Captain McKenzie, Mr. Mitchelson,. Mr. Sutton. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. McKerrow's (the Surveyor-General's) report was received. The Chairman read the draft of the report to be presented to the House. On motion of Mr. Sutton, Besolved, That the report be adopted, and presented by the Chairman to the House this afternoon. On motion of Mr. Beetham, Besolved, That a vote of thanks be given the Chairman for the abte manner in which he has conducted the meetings of the Committee. The Committee then dissolved.

3—l. 9.

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