I.—7a.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. [Note. —The proceedings of the Committee referring to other business are omitted.]

Wednesday, 17th August, 1892. Present: Mr. Guinness (Chairman), Hon. Sir J. Hall, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Shera, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Petition of the New Zealand Midland Bailway Company. The Hon. Mr. Seddon was present. Resolved, on the motion of Dr. Newman, That representatives from the Public Works Department and from the Midland Bailway Company (Limited) be allowed to be present during the taking of the evidence. Messrs. H. D. Bell (Solicitor), Bobert Wilson (Attorney for the Company), and N. H. M. Dalston (Accountant) were then admitted. Resolved, That the above resolution be communicated to the Public Works Department. Mr. Wilson made a statement of the official papers he would ask to be produced before the Committee, and also the names of the witnesses he would desire to call. Resolved, That the consideration of the petition be adjourned until to-morrow, when Mr. Wilson would make a statement.

Thursday, 18th August, 1892. Present: Mr. Guinness (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Dr. Newman, Mr. J. Mills, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Shera, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Messrs. Bell, Wilson, and Dalston attended in support of the petition. The Hon. Mr. Seddon and Mr.' Blow (Under-Secretary, Public Works Department) attended the Committee as representing the Public Works Department. Mr. Wilson made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. After Mr. Wilson had replied to questions by the members of the Committee, the Committee adjourned until to-morrow at 11 a.m.

Fbiday, 19th August, 1892. Present: Mr. Guinness (Chairman), Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. J. Mills, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Shera, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Seddon and Messrs. Wilson, Bell, Dalston, Scott (Midland Bailway Company, Limited), and Blow attended the Committee. Mr. Wilson made a further statement in reply to questions by the Hon. Mr. Seddon, which statement was taken down by the reporter. During the examination the question arose as to the extent of the proofs that the company was to give in support of the allegations as to the reserving of land for mining purposes. After discussion, the Chairman suggested that the Hon. Mr. Seddon be allowed to cross-examine Mr. Wilson on the evidence he proposed to tender on this point, and the Committee agreed to this course. The Committee adjourned at 1 o'clock until Tuesday next at 11 o'clock, wdien Mr. Wilson's cross-examination will be continued.

Tuesday, 23ed August, 1892. Present: Mr. Guinness (Chairman) Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. J. Mills, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Shera, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Messrs. Bell, Wilson, Scott, Dalston, Young (Assistant Engineer, Midland Bailway), Lord (Surveyor), the Hon. Mr. Seddon, and Mr. Blow attended the Committee. Mr. Wilson made a further statement in reply to questions from the Hon. Mr. Seddon, which statement was taken down by the reporter. Resolved, on the motion of Dr. Newman, that the evidence be printed. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow at 11 o'clock, wdien Mr. Wilson's cross-exami-nation will be continued.

Wednesday, 24th August, 1892. Present: Mr. Guinness (Chairman), Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. J. Mills, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Shera, Mr. Tanner. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Messrs. Wilson, Scott, Dalston, Lord, Young, Blow, and the Hon. Mr. Seddon were present. Mr. Wilson made a further statement in reply to questions by the Hon. Mr. Seddon, which statement was taken down by the reporter. After the statement had been delivered the witnesses withdrew. The Committee then considered what further information they would ask Mr. Wilson to supply, as requested by the Hon. Mr. Seddon, on points raised in his cross-examination. After

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