1.—12

1901. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT AGRICULTURAL, PASTORAL, AND STOCK COMMITTEE: THE LAND AND LIVE-STOCK AUCTIONS BILL, REPORT OF; TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. (HON. MR. T. KELLY, CHAIRMAN.)

Report laid upon the Table Bth October, and Evidence the 24th day of October, 1901, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OP REFERENCE.

Extract from the Journals of the Legislative Council. Wednesday, the 3bd Day op July, 1901. Ordered —" That Standing Order No. 162 be suspended, and that a Select Committee be appointed to consider all matters pertaining to agricultural and pastoral industries and stock, with power to sit and confer with any similar Committee that may be appointed by the House of Representatives, and to agree to a joint or separate report; with power to call for persons, papers, and records: the Committee to consist of ten members—viz., the Hon. Mr. Bowen, the Hon. Major Harris, r,ne Hon. Mr. Johnston, the Hon. Mr. T. Kelly, the Hon. Mr. W. Kelly, the Hon. Mr. McLean, the Hon. Mr. Ormond, the Hon. Mr. A. L. Smith, the Hon. Mr. L. Walker, and the mover." —(The Hon. W. C. Walker.)

Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 3rd Day op July, 1901. Ordered, "That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all matters pertaining to agricultural and pastoral industries and stock, with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bollard, Mr. Buddo, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Lethbridge, Mr. Massey, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Hon. Major Steward, Mr. Symes, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Duncan.) REPORT.

LAND AND LIVE-STOCK AUCTIONS BILL. The Joint Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee, to whom was referred the above-mentioned Bill, have the honour to report that they recommend that the Bill be not further proceeded with this session, and the Bill be forwarded to all agricultural societies, and their opinions asked thereon. Thomas Kelly, Chairman Joint Committee. F. Lawby, Bth October, 1901. Chairman, Committee House of Bepresentatives.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Tuesday, Ist Octobeb, 1901. Mr. J. Mundel examined. (No. 1.) Hon. the Chairman : There are two gentlemen present who wish to give evidence, and I will ■call upon Mr. Mundel first, as he wishes to make a statement. Mr. Mundel: Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, —I may state that lam an auctioneer and stock and station agent, carrying on business in Timaru, and I have been engaged in that business for a considerable number of years. I have thought for some time that this Sill is a necessary one ; and, in fact, with the present system of buyers bidding through their auctioneers for their own stock ■or land, I have come to the conclusion that this Bill (the Land and Live-stock Auctions Bill, 1901)