1.—6.

MINUTES OF PKOCEEDINGS.

Saturday, 13th September, 1884. Present: Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Fergus, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Larnach, Mr, Montgomery, Mr. W. White. The. Clerk read the ordeu«of reference. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That the Hon. Mr. Eichardson be appointed Chairman. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That the following witnesses be summoned to give evidence: Mr. McKerrow, Mr. Blackett, Mr. Gill, Mr. Marchant, Mr. Mair, Mr. Eochfort. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That all witnesses residing outside Wellington be summoned by telegram, and that all persons not connected with the service be allowed expenses. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Fergus, That the following witnesses be summoned: Messrs. Percy Smith, Skeet, Marchant, Cussen, Eochfort, Holmes, Eoss, Knorpp, Blackett, McKerrow, Gill, Dr. Hector, Mr. C. W. Hursthouse, Captain Northcroft, Sir George Grey, Major Atkinson, Messrs. Mitchelson, Bryce, Mair, Carkeek, and Wahanui. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That Messrs. Blackett, McKerrow, Gill, Marchant, Gilbert Mair, and Eochfort be summoned to attend on Monday. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That the Government be requested to furnish a map, of the largest size, showing the various proposed routes. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That a shorthand writer be instructed to attend at every meeting of the Committee. The Committee then adjourned to 10.30 a.m. on Monday, the 15th September.

Monday, 15th September, 1884. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Mr. Eichardson (Chairman), Mr. Fergus, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Montgonery, Mr. W. White. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That the following be summoned to attend as witnesses for the purpose of giving evidence: Mr. A. J. Eawson, Surveyor, New Plymouth; Mr. Eochfort, Civil Engineer; Mr. J. Sheehan, now in Wellington. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Larnach, That not more than one witness be allowed in the room at the same time. Mr. McKerrow, Surveyor-General, attended and gave evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. E. J. Gill, Under-Secretary, Native Land Purchase Department, attended and gave evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. Blackett, Engineer-in-Chief, attended, and was examined and gave evidence. He produced the under-mentioned plans, and promised to send the books of lithographs soon :—l. Sketch map of North Island, showing route in green. 2. Mr. Eochfort's survey; general plan, showing eastern, western, and central routes (P.W.D. 12069). 3. Mr. Williams s survey, general plan (P W D 11468). 4. Messrs. Holmes and Carkeek's survey (P.W.D. 11483). Mr. Marchant, Chief Surveyor, Wellington, attended and gave evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. The Committee then adjourned to 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 16th September, 1884. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Mr. Bichardson (Chairman), Mr. Fergus, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. W. White. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Slieehan was called and gave evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. Donald Eraser, farmer, Bangitikei, gave evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. J. Eochfort, surveyor, was called and gave evidence, was requested to appear before the Committee to-morrow to continue his evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Fergus, That Mr. Mathew Barry and Major Parris bo summoned to attend the Committee. The Committee then adjourned to 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Wednesday, 17th September, 1884. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Mr. Bichardson (Chairman), Mr. Fergus, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Larnach, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. W. White. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That Mr. Cussen's report (see Appendix, page 103) be distributed to each member,.. Wahanui attended and gave evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. M. Barry, gold-miner, gave evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. Mr. Eochfort, surveyor, attended and gave evidence, was requested to attend to-morrow to - continue his evidence, was thanked, and withdrew. The Committee then adjourned to 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

VI