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John Dryden Hall, solicitor, Christchurch, was called, sworn, and examined, and produced certain books, papers, and documents relating to the business of the New Zealand Midland Railway Company. In reply to a communication from the Commission, Mr. E. G. Wright telegraphed that it would be convenient for him to attend as a witness at 3 o'clock on Monday afternoon, and it was resolved that Mr. Wright be heard on Monday afternoon, and that he be notified accordingly. At 11.30 a.m. the Commission adjourned till 2.30 p.m. on Monday next.

Monday, Ist April, 1901. The Commission met at 2.30 p.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Graham, and Mr Hudson. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from Mr. Hugh Cassidy, coach-proprietor, Springfield, forwarding the completed return as asked for by the Commission on the 15th March, and the return (Exhibit No. 69) was ordered to be received. Mr. Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand Midland Railway Company) and Mr. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) were in attendance. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the Eegistrar-General, Wellington, be asked to furnish the following information at his earliest convenience, viz.: A return showing the population of Canterbury between the Ashburton and Hurunui Eivers, and the population of the Counties of Westland, Grey, Inangahua, Buller, and Waimea (the borough populations in the said districts to be shown separately), as shown by the census just taken; such return to show the increases and decreases as compared with the census of 1891 and the census of 1896. Robert West England, timber merchant, Christchurch, was called, sworn, and examined. Edward George Wright, sheep-farmer, Windermere, was called, sworn, and examined. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, That the next meeting of the Commission be held in Wellington on Wednesday, the 3rd April, at 3 p.m., in the Parliamentary Buildings, and that all the parties before the Commission be notified accordingly. At 4 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 3rd April, at Wellington.

WELLINGTON. Wednesday, 3rd Apeil, 1901. The Commission met at 3 p.m. at Parliamentary Buildings. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Eraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. An informal meeting of the Commission was held at 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday, the 2nd April, at Christchurch, to consider a telegram from Dr. Findlay (counsel for Receiver) in regard to the production of certain papers relating to land in the McMillan Trust, and at present in the custody of Messrs. Beswick and Harris, solicitors, Christchurch. It was resolved, That Dr. Pindlay be informed that it will be more convenient to have the'McMillan Trust papers produced through Mr. Harris's agent in Wellington, and that Dr. Findlay be asked to take steps accordingly. Mr. H. D. Bell (counsel for Crown) and Dr. Findlay (counsel for Receiver) were in attendance. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, That the Hon. Minister for Public Works be asked to furnish the following information at his ealiest possible convenience, viz. : A return of the Crown land granted to or earned by the New Zealand Midland Railway Company or the Receiver, showing the number of block, area of block, and Bl value of same; such return also to include and show separately the lands (with number of block, area of block, and Bl value of same) set aside in the McMillan Trust. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. McKerrow, That the Commission adjourn till Wednesday, the 10th April, at 3 p.m., to enable the parties to the proceedings to prepare the returns asked for. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Graham, That the parties to the proceedings be informed that the Commission will meet on Wednesday, the 10th April, 1901, for the purpose of receiving such returns as are then ready to be presented. At 4.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 3 p.m. on Wednesday, the 10th April, 1901.

Wednesday, 10th Apeil, 1901. The Commission met at 3 p.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. Findlay (counsel for the Receiver), Mr. Coates (Receiver for the debenture-holders), and Mr. Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand' Midland Railway Company) were in attendance. Henry William Young, civil engineer, Greymouth, was called, and handed in further returns (Exhibits Nos. 72 to 88). Norman Howard Maxwell Dalston, attorney for the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, was called, and handed in certain returns (Exhibits Nos. 89 to 91). At 4.15 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.15 a.m. to-morrow,

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