15

H.—l2

Total Export and Value of Kauri-gum from 1856 to 1897 (kindly supplied by Mr. H. Edmonds).

MINUTES OF PEOCEBDINGS.

The Commissioners, Mr. Edward Tregear and Mr. Gerhard John Mueller, sat in their private room in Rogers's Hotel, Dargaville, on the 18th January, 1898. The Secretary read the commission. Mr. Edward Tregear was elected Chairman. It was resolved to telegraph the Right Hon. the Premier for an extension of time, till the end of February, in which to report. The following witnesses were sworn and examined: Thomas Somers, Ellis Rees Ellis. The Commissioners then adjourned till next day at Waima. The Commissioners sat at Nelson's store, Maunganui Bluff Swamp, on the 19th January, and the following witnesses were examined : William Reynolds, gum-digger ; Alexander McCullough, gam-digger and settler ; Bold Btomeh, Austrian. The Commissioners sat at Kaihu on the 20th January. No witnesses. The Commissioners sat at Dargaville (private room, Rogers's Hotel) on the 21st January, and the following witnesses were examined : Horace Hammond, William Fitzpatrick, Robert Griffen, John Brown, H. Basil Cox, Charles Flavell, John Goodall, Jacob Radatich, Peter Skakandich, Nicolas Skakandich, Nicolas Matulavii, John Bilish, Richard Mitchelson. Telegram received from Right Hon. the Premier extending time to report till the 1st March. The Commissioners visited Harding's Swamp, near Aratapu, on the 22nd January, and took the following evidence : Antonio Falconetti, Stephen Gadastephano, John Macoich, Marcus Didovitch, Arthur Negerrich. Jacob Radatich acted as interpreter. The Commissioners visited, on the same day, Te Kopuru, and took the evidence of John Perry. The Commissioners sat at Dargaville on the same day, and re-examined Richard Mitchelson. The Commissioners sat at Vale of Avoca on the 24th January, and examined Peter Langton and Mark Ciprian. The Commissioners visited Austrian Camp, near Wairua Bridge, on the 25th January, and examined Jefery Hunter, Sam Lucas, and Antonio Mititichi. The Commissioners sat at Rawnsley's store, Poroti, on the same day, and examined Samuel Rawnsley.

Year. Tons. Value per Ton. Year. Tons. Value per Ton. .856 .857 .858 .859 .860 .861 .862 .863 .864 .865 .866 .867 868 .869 .870 .871 .872 .873 .874 .875 .876 1,440 2,521 1,810 2,010 1,046 865 1,103 1,400 2,228 1,867 1,943 1,989 2,157 2,640 3,940 5,226 4,680 2,619 2,196 3,133 2,192 £ 13 14 11 10 9 11 10 20 28 24 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 3,450 3,421 3,273 4,775 5,276 4,899 6,375 6,537 5,646 4,560 6,453 8,396 6,973 7,517 8,661 8,404 8,271 8,069 7,198 7,011 6,450 £ s. £ s. 26 0 to 32 0 28 0 „ 36 0 31 0 „ 70 0 25 0 „ 65 0 30 0 „ 48 0 40 0 „ 49 10 40 10 „ 62 10 41 10 „ 57 10 25 10 „ 50 10 26 10 „ 53 0 34 0 „ 59 0 26 10 „ 46 10 33 0 „ 46 0 42 0 „ 57 10 40 10 „ 63 15 46 10 „ 73 10 48 0 „ 66 0 39 0 „ 54 0 51 0 „ 69 0 57 0 „ 74 0 61 0 „ 70 0 No record. if it ir £23 to £28 22 „ 27 18 „ 30 30 „ 45 30 „ 39 22 .. 33