XLV

H.—2

Mr. McKenzie moved, as an amendment, That the sum of £114,205 Is. 7d., stated in Exhibit No. 175, is beyond the scope of the Commission, not being a sum actually spent on constructing any portion of any section of the Midland Eailway, nor in supervision, or commission, or salaries, or other matter incidental to the construction of any of the sections of the railway. And the question being put on the amendment, the Commission divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Aye, I.—Mr. McKenzie. Noes, 4.—Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, Mr. McKerrow. So it passed in the negative. And the question being put on the motion, the Commission divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 4.—Mr. Praser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, Mr. McKerrow. No, I.—Mr. McKenzie. So it passed in the affirmative. Norman Howard Maxwell Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company) was in attendance. At 4.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Tuesday, 11th June, 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. At 1 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 2.30 p.m. At 2.45 p.m., Mr. Graham and the Chairman being the only two members present, the Chairman adjourned the meeting till 10.30 p.m. to-morrow, for want of a quorum.

Wednesday, 12th June, 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 (Eeceiver for the debenture-holders), Mr. Dalston (attorney for the New Zealand Midland Eailway Company), and Mr. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) were in attendance. Mr. Bell addressed the Commission on behalf of the Crown. Dr. Findlay addressed the Commission on behalf of the debenture-holders. Mr. Dalston addressed the Commission on behalf of the shareholders. The Chairman then thanked counsel for the assistance they had rendered throughout the proceedings of the Commission. Besolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the addresses put before the Commission by Mr. Bell and Dr. Pindlay and Mr. Dalston be printed, and attached to the proceedings of the Commission. At 1.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Thursday, 13th June, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Besolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the Commission adjourn until printed copies of the addresses of counsel are available for Commissioners. At 11 a.m. the Commission adjourned.

Saturday, 15th June, 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 considered the printed proofs of Exhibits Nos. 172 to 175, and the secretary was instructed, on the motion of the Chairman, to authorise the Government Printer to proceed with the printing of these returns. Besolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That Mr. Hudson and Mr. McKerrow be appointed a sub-committee to prepare a draft report. At 12.15 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 17th June, 1901.