H.—2

It was first resolved to adjourn till 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, the 27th February, at Eeefton. The Commission adjourned at 3 p.m. An intimation was subsequently received from counsel for the Crown and the Eeoeiver stating that, as two of the witnesses to be called by the Crown—Mr. Snodgrass and Mr. T. H. Eoberts—were stationed at Westport, and that it would be more convenient to examine them there, therefore, if the Commission saw fit to sit at Westport, counsel thought some expense and trouble to the witnesses could be saved, and some slight disorganization of the Government service avoided. A special meeting of the Commission was held at 8.30 p.m., and it was resolved, That, in consequence of the communication received from counsel, the previous resolution that the next meeting of the Commission be held at Eeefton be rescinded, and that the next meeting be held at Westport, at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, the 27th February. The Commission adjourned at 9 p.m. till 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, the 27th February, 1901.

WESTPOET. Wednesday, 27th Febbuaey, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. in the Stipendiary Magistrate's Courthouse. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Bell (counsel for Crown), Dr. Findlay (counsel for Eeceiver), Mr. Coates (Eeceiver for the debenture-holders), and Mr. Blow (Under Secretary for Public Works) were in attendance. John Snodgrass, District Surveyor at Westport, was called, sworn, and examined. William Eoberts, Inspector of Permanent-way, New Zealand Eailways, Westport, was called, sworn, and examined. George Edward Eichardson, District Engineer, New Zealand Eailways, Westport, was called, sworn, and examined. Frank Slee, land broker at Westport, was called, sworn, and examined. At 12.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 7.30 p.m., to give counsel for the Receiver an opportunity to ascertain whether he would call further evidence at Westport. The Commission met again at 7.30 p.m., when Dr. Findlay intimated that he had no further evidence to call at Westport. The Commission then adjourned till 10.30 a.m, on Friday, Ist March, at Eeefton.

EEEFTON. Feiday, Ist Maech, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, That the Commission first proceed to inspect the Eeefton-Stillwater and Brunner-ton-Jackson's Sections of the New Zealand Midland Eailway before taking any evidence in regard to them. The Commission then proceeded to inspect the Eeefton-Stillwater Section of the Midland Eailway, and examined the portion between Eeefton and Mawheraici, returning to Eeefton the same evening. On Saturday, the 2nd March, the Commission continued the inspection of the same section, and examined the portion of the line between Mawheraiti and Totara Flat, proceeding on to and reaching Greymouth the same evening. On Monday, the 4th March, the Commission continued the inspection of the same section, examining the portion of the line between Totara Flat and Ngahere ; and on Tuesday, the sth March, they examined the portion between Ngahere and Brunnerton. On Wednesday, the 6th March, the Commission commenced the inspection of the Brunner-ton-Jackson's Section of the New Zealand Midland Eailway, and examined the portion of the line between Stillwater and Te Kinga; on Thursday, the 7th March, they examined the portion between Te Kinga and the 30-mile peg; and on Friday, the Bth March, they completed the examination of the line to Jackson's, and afterwards proceeded to Otira. On Saturday, the 9th March, the Commission were engaged in the forenoon inspecting the .rolling-stock taken over from the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company. At noon an informal meeting was held, at which all the Commissioners were present; and in response to a request by counsel for the Eeceiver, asking for an instruction as to the order of evidence, the Chairman was authorised to sign and forward the following letter, viz. : — Greymouth, 9th March, 1901. Sib,— Royal Commission in re the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. I wish to call your attention to the letters from the Commission to the Receiver for the debenture-holders and to the attorney for the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company, dated the sth February, 1901, aeking for certain information, and to state that the Commission are of opinion that it would facilitate taking of evidence here if you would furnish the Commission with a detailed statement of claim for eaoh section of the railway—viz., Stillwater

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