H.-24

XIV

Thanks. A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the Dunedin City Council for the use of the City Council Chambers during the Commission's stay in Dunedin. A vote of thanks was also passed to those witnesses who have given evidence in Dunedin. The Commission then adjourned at 12.35 p.m. to Christchurch, the next meeting to be on Tuesday, Gth April, at 9.30 a.m.

Christchurch, Tuesday, 6th April, 1909. The ninth meeting of the Commission was held in the old Provincial Council Chamber, Christchurch, on Tuesday, the 6th 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. S. Hurst Seager, architect, examined from 10.5 a.m. to 12 noon. Mr. C. E. Page, of Messrs. Edmonds and Page, timber-merchants, 12 noon to 1 p.m. The Commission adjourned from 1 to 2 p.m. Mr. C. E. Page (examination continued), 2 to 3 p.m. Mr. C. Taylor, builder, from 3 to 4 p.m. Mr. William Goss, timber-merchant, 4 to 4.50 p.m. Meeting at Grey mouth. In response to a telegram from the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika, inquiring on what date the Commission will arrive in Greymouth,— Resolved, That he be informed that the Commission will commence sitting on Wednesday, the 14th instant. Correspondence. Letter dated 6th April, from S. Hurst Seager, correcting certain figures stated by him in his evidence that morning.— Received. The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m.

Christchurch, Wednesday, 7th April, 1909. The tenth meeting of the Commission was held in the old Provincial Chamber, Christchurch, on Wednesday, the 7th 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. William Goss, examination continued from 10.5 a.m. to 11.25 a.m. Mr. Edwin Henshall, timber-merchant, from 11.25 a.m.. to 12.30 p.m. Mr. E. C. Gold Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands, from 12.35 p.m. to 12.40 p.m. The Commission then adjourned till 2 p.m. Mr. James Rowe, president, Builders' Association, examined 2 p.m. to 3.25 p.m. Mr. William Allen Jewell, joinery-works, 3.25 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Mr. Edmund Gee, venetian-blind maker, 4.i>o p.m. to 4.35 p.m. Mi , . Ralph Davison, foreman of timber-yard, Messrs. Strange and Co., 4.35 to 4.45 p.m. The Commission adjourned at 4.45 p.m.

Christchurch, Thursday, Bth April, 1909. The eleventh meeting of the Commission was held in the old Provincial Chamber, Christchurch, on Thursday, the Bth day of April, 1909, at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Chairman) and nil the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Evidence. Mr. Alfred Elliott, Collector of Customs, examined from 10.5 to 10.10 a.m. Mr. W. Jacques, secretary to Builders' Association, 10.10 a.m. to 11.5 a.m. Mr. Robert Ellison, secretary, Central Dairy Company, 11.5 a.m. to 11.25 a.m. Mr. C. H. Biss, District Railway Engineer, 11.25 a.m. to 11.50 a.m. Mr. Harold Lightband, representative of Messrs. Lemcke and Co., of New York, 11.50 a.m to 12.5 p.m. Mr. G. E. Richardson, Manager, Railway Workshops, Addington, 12.5 p.m. to 12.20 p.m. The Commission adjourned till 2 p.m. Mr. E. W. Waller, timber-merchant, examined from 2.10 p.m. to 3.5 p.m. Mr. William Cook, timber-merchant, 3.5 p.m. to 3.25 p.m. Mr. H. J. Nightingale, builder, 3.25 p.m. to 3.35 p.m. Mr. E. C. Gold Smith (re-examined), 3.35 p.m. to 3.45 p.m.