H.—24

XLIV

Evidence. Mr. T. Scott, blindmaker, examined from 10 a.m. to 10.50 a.m. Mr. James Crawford, president, Builders and Contractors' Association, 10.50 a.m. to 12.5 p.m. Mr. Alexander Macpherson, sawmiller, 12.5 to 1 p.m. The Commission adjourned from 1 to 2 p.m. Mr. Gabriel Hodges, examined from 2 to 3.15 p.m. Mr. H. V. Haddock, manager for Messrs. Murdoch and Co., examined from 3.15 to 4.10 p.m. Mr. A. McCallum, sawmiller, examined from 4.10 to 4.35 p.m. The Commission then went into committee. Meeting at Greymouth. Telegram dated Ist April from the Hon. A. R. Guinness, M.P., asking, on behalf of the Greymouth sawmillers, that the Commission sit at Greymouth last in order to allow time to collect evidence. Moved by Mr. Jennings, seconded by Mr. Mander, That the itinerary as drafted be adhered to. —Carried unanimously. Of ago Club. A card of honorary membership of the above club from the Ist April to Ist May was received with thanks. Further Information. Moved by Mr. Stallworthy, That Messrs. Murdoch and Co. be asked to state the total production of each of their mills, together with the cost of putting the timber through the mill on to the truck, the information so supplied to be treated as confidential, and not to be published in the report of the Commission, but to be for the information of members only.—Carried. It was also resolved that similar information be obtained from Mr. A. McCallum respecting the output of each of his four mills. The Commission then adjourned at 4.50 p.m.

Dunedin, Friday, 2nd Aphil, 1909. The seventh meeting of the Commission was held in the Council Chamber, Dunedin, on Friday, the 2nd April, 1909, at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Chairman), and all the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Evidence. The following witnesses were examined: — Edwin Broad, manager, Dunedin Timber Company, 10 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. Robert Crawford, builder, 11.15 to 12.15 a.m. A. R. Wallis, sawmiller, 12.15 p.m. to 1 p.m. The Commission adjourned from 1 to 2 p.m. A. R. Wallis (continued), from 2 p.m. to 2.45 p.m. F. W. Petre, architect, 2.45 p.m to 4.15 p.m. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Petre for his clear and straightforward evidence. George Clarke, builder, from 4.15 to 4.35 p.m. Frank Wilkinson, secretary to Builders and Contractors' Association, 4.35 to 4.55 p.m. Mr. H. A. Massey, of Invercargill, having presented the Commission with a panel containing specimens of five milling-timber woods of Southland, it was decided to thank him for his kind donation. The Commission then adjourned at 5 p.m.

Dunbdin, Saturday, 3rd April, 1909. The eighth meeting of the Commission was held at the City Council Chambers, Dunedin, on Saturday, the 3rd April, 1909, at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Chairman), and all the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Evidence. Mr. David Barron, Commissioner of Crown Lands, 10 a.m. to 10.25 a.m. Mr. Edward O'Neill, Crown Lands R.mger, 10.25 to 10.40 a.m. Mr. A. Hogg, of Messrs. Hogg and Co., timber-merchants, 10.40 a.m. to 11.40 a.m. Mr. Hunter Macandrew, District Railway Engineer, 11.40 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. Mr. Robert Chisholm, of Messrs. Scoullar and Chisholm, 12.5 to 12.30 p.m. Correspondence. Letter dated Ist April, from H. A. Massey, Invercargill, explaining certain matters stated by him when being examined.—Received. •