H.—2

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to Beefton, Brunnerton to Jackson's, Belgrove to Noma's Gully, and Springfield to Patterson's Creek—as asked for in the said letters—such statement to be afterwards substantiated by evidence; and also to show what proportion of this oost was provided by the oompanv, by the debenture-holders, and by the down. The Commission also desire that information should be furnished srnwing — (1.) The actual cost of surveys of each (if tie above sections i f railway, with the names of surveyors and number of staff with each surveyor, the period of employment, and the amount paid to each surveyor and his staff. (2.) The co.st of land bought for railway-construction, with names of vendors, locality, areas, and amount paid to each individual owner; each of the above-sections of railway to be shown separately. (3.) The area and value of land given by Che Government on which the railwiy is constructed ; eaoh of the above sections of railway to be shown separately. (Values will be supplied by Crown Lvnds Department.) (i.) The actual cost of constr etio of each of the above sections of railway, showing items in the following order, viz.: (a) Grading, (6) bri tging, (c) tunnelling, (rt) buildings an i s ation-, (c) permanent-way, (/) fencing, and (g) lolling-Biock, &c. The Commission will a cept contractors tenders, including sohe mlrs for any work let by tublio competitian, ar d also any additions to or deductions from any contraot let by public tender —additions and deductions to be shown separately. (5.) The amount expended for supervision, showing the rames of officers, the period of employment, and amount, (and the annual rate of palan) paid to each; suoh expenditure to be apportioned to eaoh of the above sections of railway. The amount of money paid in commissions, showing the names of the persons or parties to whom such commissions were paid and the amounts paid to eaoh person or party ; snob expenditure to he anportioned to each of the above sections of railway. The amount paid in salaries, showing the names of officers, the period of employment, and amount (and the annual rate of salary) paid to each ; suoh expenditun to be apportioned to eaoh of the above sections of railway. The amount paid in mc dental expenses ; suoh expenditure to be shown in detail and separately from the above, and to be apportioned to each of the above sections of railway. (6.) The condition of the permanent-wav, rolling-stock, and buildings of the above lines of railway at the date when the Governor took possession of the same (25th May, 1895). (7.) Evidence in n gard to the returns numbered (3) and (4) in the Commission's letter to the attorney for the company of the sth February, 1901. (8.) Evidence as to the present selling-value of the above sections of railway as a going concern, having regard to prospective increase in net revenue. I have, &0., R. McKenzie, Dr. Pindlay, Counsel for the Reoeiver, Cuairman of Commission. New Zealand Midland Railway Debenture-holders, Greymoutb. The Commission adjourned at 3 p.m. till 10 a.m. on Monday, the 11th March, 1901.

GREYMOUTH. Mokday, 4th March, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. in the County Council offices. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Graham, That the Receiver for the debenture-holders and the attorney of the company be informed that the Commission will require them to produce all books from which returns are compiled, as the Commission may from time to time direct. A letter was received from Mrs. Evans, of Poerua, calling attention to an unsettled compensation claim of £20 for land taken by the Midland Railway Company for railway purposes. Resolved, That the letter be received and the matter be inquired into. Mr. Bell (counsel for Crown), Dr. Findlay (counsel for the Receiver), Mr. Coates (Receiver for the debenture-holders), Mr. Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand Midland Railway Company), and Mr. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) were in attendance. Henry William Young, civil engineer, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Thomas Whillians Bruce, sheep-farmer, Inchbonnie, was called, sworn, and examined. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 12th March, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Fraser, That while in Greymouth the Commission meet at 9.45 a.m. for private and at 10 a.m. for public business, and adjourn at 1 p.m. till 2.30 p.m. for lunch, and adjourn again at 5 p.m., except on such occasions as when the Commission may deem it advisable to prolong the sitting. Mr. Bell (counsel for Crown), Dr. Findlay (counsel for Receiver), Mr. Coates (Receiver for the debenture-holders), Mr. Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand Midland Railway Company), and Mr. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) were in attendance. Henry George Hankin, mining agent, Reefton, was called, sworn, and examined. Thomas Pavitt, land agent, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Henry Samuel Castle, accountant, Reefton, was called, sworn, and examined. Horace Baxter, Audit Inspector, New Zealand Railways, Dunedin, was called, sworn, and examined. George Vanderput Drury Butts, foreman, New Zealand railway workshops, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Henry Edward Whitfield, Inspector of Permanent-way, New Zealand Railways, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 9.45 a.m. to-morrow.