H.—2

XLII

Wednesday, 22nd May, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. McKeirzie (Chairman), Mr. Eraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Dr. Findlay (counsel for Eeceivef), Mr. Bell (counsel for Crown), and Mr. Dalston (attorney for New Zealand Midland Eailway Company) were in attendance. Norman Howard Maxwell Dalston, attorney for New Zealand Midland Eailway Company, was called and further examined on oath. Henry William Young, civil engineer, Greymouth, was called and further examined on oath. At 4.50 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Thursday, 23ed 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. Bell (counsel for Crown) and Dr. Findlay (counsel for Eeceiver) were in attendance. Henry William Young, civil engineer, Greymouth, was called and further examined on oath. Edward James Tamlyn Price, contractor, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. James Henry Napier Anderson Bournes, manager, New Zealand Shipping Company, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. Maurice O'Connor, contractor, Wellington, was called, sworn, and examined. Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, That the Eeceiver for the debenture-holders be asked to state what portions of the lands included in Exhibit No. 110 either remain in his possession or have been sold by him, and that the Under-Secretary for Public Works be requested to state what portions of the lands included in Exhibit No. 110 have passed to the Crown. At 4.20 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 11.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Fbiday, 24th May, 1901. The Commission met at 11.30 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. Dr. Findlay (counsel for Eeceiver) was in attendance. Henry William Young, civil engineer, Greymouth, was called and further examined on oath. The Commission considered the printed proofs of Exhibits Nos. 161 to 163, and the secretary was instructed, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, to authorise the Government Printer to proceed with the printing of these returns. At 12.30 a.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Saturday, 25th 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. • A telegram was received from the District Engineer of Eailways, Greymouth, stating that the cylinder-sinking plant imported by the Midland Eailway Company is stored at Stillwater, and is in good order ; and it was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the District Engineer, Greymouth, and a person nominated by counsel for Eeceiver be requested to value the plant, and send the valuation to the Commission. The Commission considered the printed proofs of Exhibits Nos. 164 to 168, and the secretary was instructed, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, to authorise the Government Printer to proceed with the printing of these returns. At 1 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday.

Monday, 27th 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. A letter was received from counsel for Eeceiver, nominating Mr. Joseph Jay, Greymouth, to assist the District Engineer of New Zealand Eailways, Greymouth, to value cylinder-sinking plant imported by Midland Eailway Company. Mr. Hudson moved, That the Commission are of opinion that the pneumatic plant as set forth in Exhibit No. 108, representing the sum of £509 13s. 6d., forms no portion of the working railways plant, and is consequently outside the scope of the Commission.