XLIII

H.—2

And the question being put, the Commission divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 4.—Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. McKerrow. No, I.—Mr. Fraser. So it passed in the affirmative. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hudson,' That the Commission are of opinion that, inasmuch as the pneumatic plant mentioned in Exhibit No". 108 is on the railway-line at Stillwater, the Commissioners so report, and suggest that the company have the right to remove it. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 28th 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. The Commission were engaged during the sitting in considering returns. At 4.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Wednesday, 29th 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), Dr. Findlay (counsel for Eeceiver), Mr. Coates (Receiver for the debenture-holders), and Mr. Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand. Midland Bail way Company) were in attendance. Mr. Bell informed the Commission that the Government had not been able to give full consideration to the statement he had laid before them, and he had instructions from the Government to request the Commission to postpone hearing his address until next week. He asked for an adjournment of the address until Wednesday next. Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the Commission accede to the request of counsel for Crown to postpone the hearing of the addresses until Wednesday, sth June, 1901. At 4.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Friday, 31st May, 1901.

Fbiday, 31st 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. Murdoch McLean, contractor, Auckland, was called, sworn, and examined.' At 4.45 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 3rd June, 1901.

Monday, 3ed June, 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. Henry William Young, civil engineer, Greymouth, was called and further examined on oath. Norman Howard Maxwell Dalston, attorney for the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company, was called and further examined on oath. A letter was received from the Under-Secretary for Public Works, forwarding a return showing the schedule rates for the Pohangina Bridge contract; and it was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the return be made a record of the Commission (Exhibit No. 171). At 4.45 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 4th June, 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. A letter was received from the Hon. Minister for Public Works, forwarding a warrant, signed by His Excellency the Deputy Governor, extending the scope of the Midland Eailway Commission, and requesting that the provisions of the supplementary Commission might be given effect to; and it was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, that the letter be received. The new Commission was read. A letter was received from the Accountant, New Zealand Eailways, forwarding a return of the revenue from and expenditure on the Springfield-Otarama Section of the Midland Eailway from 26th December, 1892, to 25th May, 1895; and it was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the return be received, and laid on the table for the information of the Commission. At 5.10 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.