H.-2.

XXXVII

Tuesday, 30th April, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 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. Besolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the secretary be instructed to obtain from the Government Printer eight copies of all future exhibits in proof form. The Commission were engaged during the sitting in considering exhibits already presented and information still required. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, That the attention of the Crown be called to the fact that when in Greymouth the Commission called Mr Bell's attention to the fact that Exhibits Nos. 8 and 26 deal with passenger traffic from Jackson's only, whereas they should deal with passenger traffic to and from Jackson's ; and that the Commission desire to know when the supplementary information will be furnished. Besolved, That Alfred Luther Beattie, Locomotive Superintendent, New Zealand Eailways, be summoned to attend before the Commission on Friday, 3rd May, to give evidence as to the value of the rolling-stock belonging to the Midland Railway Company. At 12.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Wednesday, Ist May, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Eraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. HudsoD, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from the Under-Secretary for Public Works, forwarding, in response to a request by the Commission, a statement by the department's book-keeper showing the details of expenditure by the Government on the Brunnerton-Stillwater Section of the Midland Railway, and the difference Between the amounts stated in Exhibits Nos. 5 and 15 ; and the return (Exhibit No. 128) was ordered to be received. The Commission were engaged during the sitting in examining and checking the exhibits so far finally printed, and with the original returns. At 4.40 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Thuesday, 2nd May, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Eraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Hercules Davidson, Chief Clerk, Railway Accountant's Office, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. The Commission were engaged during the sitting in examining and checking exhibits as finally printed and with the original returns. At 1 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Fbiday, 3ed May, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 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. Mr. Dalziel (for Dr. Findlay, counsel for Receiver) and Mr. Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand Midland Railway Company) were in attendance. Henry William Young, civil engineer, Greymouth, was called, and produced certain returns (Exhibits Nos. 115 to 127). Norman Howard Maxwell Dalston, attorney for the New Zealand Midland Railway Company, Wellington, was called, and produced certain returns (Exhibits Nos. 129 to 138). George Felton, Stores Manager, New Zealand Railways, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. At 11.45 a.m. the Commission adjourned till 10 a.m. to-morrow.

Saturday, 4th May, 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. Dr. Findlay (counsel for Receiver) was in attendance. Alfred Luther Beattie, Locomotive Superintendent, New Zealand Railways, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. The Commission were then engaged checking and examining further printed exhibits with the original returns. At 11 a.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 6th May, 1901.