5

I.—6c

Wednesday, 30th August, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. J. Mills, Mr. Saunders, Hon. the Premier, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Wright. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. $' sj* V 'f Mr. E. Wilson attended and made a further statement, which was taken down by the reporter. The Committee then adjourned until Friday next, at 11 o'clock, to further consider the proposals of the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company.

Friday, Ist September, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. J. Mills, Dr. Newman, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward, Mr. Wright. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Guinness, That the Committee adjourn until Tuesday next, at 11 o'clock, for the further consideration of the proposals of the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company.

Tuesday, sth September, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Mills, Dr. Newman, Mr, Saunders, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward, Mr. Wright. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Clerk produced letters of 29th August, 1893, and 31st August, 1893, enclosing return of the cost of construction, net revenue, &c, for the ten years ending 31st March, 1893, forwarded by the Secretary, New Zealand Eailway Department. Also, letter from the Secretary to the Treasury, dated the 4th September, 1893, enclosing the annual cash charge upon the colony to meet the interest upon the debentures for £850,000, payable in twenty half-yearly instalments, which the company propose to accept in exchange for their land-grants. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Wright, That the said returns be printed. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday next, at 11 o'clock, to consider the proposals of the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company.

Thuesdat, 7th September, 1893. Present: Mr. Guinness (Chairman), Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Mills, Dr. Newman, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Saunders, Sir E. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Hon. Mr. Ward, and Mr. Wright. Mr. Shera being absent, Mr. Guinness, on the motion of Mr. Wright, was voted to the chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. A letter from Mr. Harkness, M.H.E., asking that Messrs. T. H. Bannehr and John Graham, two delegates from the Nelson Eailway League, might be allowed to attend the Committee and give evidence, was read by the clerk. Besolved, on the motion of Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the gentlemen named by Mr. Harkness be allowed to attend the Committee. Messrs. Eobert Wilson and N. Dalston attended the Committee; Mr. Harkness, M.H.E., attended the Committee ; Messrs. Bannehr and Graham then attended and gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. After the witnesses had given evidence they withdrew. Mr. Wilson stated he did not propose to call further evidence. The Hon. Mr. Seddon stated he did not propose to call evidence. Resolved, on the motion of the Hon. Sir Eobert Stout, That the inquiry be deemed closed, so far as the taking of evidence is concerned. The Hon. Sir E. Stout gave notice to move, (1) That, in the opinion of this Committee, no variation should be made in the existing contract between the Government and the Midland Eailway Company ; (2) that there is no necessity, therefore, of continuing further negotiations with the company at present. The Committee then adjourned until Monday next at 11.30 o'clock.

Monday, 11th September, 1893. Present: Mr. Shera (Chairman), Mr. Guinness, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. G. Hutchison, Mr. Mills, Dr. Newman, Hon. Mr. Seddon, Mr. Saunders, Hon. Sir E. Stout, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Wright. The minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. The Hon. Sir Eobert Stout moved the following resolutions: (1.) That in the opinion of this Committee no variation should be made in the existing contract between the Government and the