H.—24

LIII

Wellington, Thursday, 27th Mat, 1909. The twenty-ninth meeting of the Commission was held in the Museum Building, Wellington, on Thursday, the 27th May, 1909, at 9 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. F. G. Dalziell, chairman of directors, Taupo Totara Timber Company, examined from 9.5 a.m. to 11.15 a.m. Mr. William C. Kensington, Under-Secretary for Lands, Wellington, 11.15 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. Mr. T. Konayne, General Manager, New Zealand Kailways, 12.45 p.m. to 1 p.m. The Commission adjourned from 1 to 2 p.m. Mr. Ronayne (examination continued), from 2 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. Mr. J. T. Waterhouse, Clerk of Works, Wellington, 3.45 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Mr. "Fritz Jenssen, formerly manager, Hawke's Bay Timber Company, Dannevirke, 4.3{) p.m. to 5 p.m. Mr. Joseph Butler, sawmiller, Hokitika, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Moved by Mr. Hanan, and seconded by Mr. Clarke, That the taking of evidence in Wellington be now closed. —Carried. Moved by Mr. Field, and seconded by Mr. Arnold, That the thanks of the Commission be conveyed to those witnesses who have attended in Wellington and given valuable evidence.—Carried. Moved by Mr.'Leyland, and seconded by Mr. Clarke, That a vote of thanks be passed to all those who have assisted to entertain the Commission whilst in Wellington.—rCarried. The Commission then adjourned.

Wellington, Friday, 28th May, 1909. ■ ■The thirtieth meeting of the Commission was held in the Museum Building, Wellington, on Friday, the 28th May, 1909, at 9.30 a.m. .••■'):■ Present: The Hon. T..Y. Duncan (Chairman), and all the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Commission then went into committee to consider the report. An adjournment was made from 1 to 2 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. The Commission rose at 10 p.m.

Wellington, Saturday, 29th May, 1909. The thirty-first meeting of the Commission was held in the Museum Building,. Wellington, uri Saturday, the 29th May, 1909, at 9.30 a.m.. "..,.■., '~ . ,'- ~..',. .. Present: Tha Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Chairman), and all the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ..-. In Committee. " i After further discussion of the report, it was moved by Mr. Ell, and seconded by Mr. Jennings, That, owing to the volume of evidence adduced during the limited period of the Commission, the taking of which only closed on the evening of the 27th May, and to the necessity for properly considering and analysing the same before reporting thereon, His Excellency the Governor be respectfully requested to extend the Commission for an additional thirty days, so as to enable the report to be; prepared, and presented. —Carried. ■ ■ • • . It was decided to adjourn until Monday, the 7th June, 1909, at Wellington, when those members of Parliament on the Commission, together with Mr. Barber, should meet as a sub-committee to draft the report, and that the Secretary should, in the meantime, have the resolutions previously passed in committee incorporated in a preliminary draft for consideration. The Commission then waited for the Government's approval of the extension, and, this having been received, adjourned at 1 p.m. •, T: -.-■■:•■' ■ ' : '

Meetings of the sub-committee appointed to draft the report were held at the Museum Building, Wellington, on Monday, the 7th June, 1909; Tuesday, the Bth June, 1909; Wednesday, the 9th June, 1909; Thursday, "the 10th June, 1909.

Wellington, Thursday, 17th June, 1909. The thirty-second meeting of.'the Commission was held in the Old Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, oii Thursday, the 17th June, 1909, at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Chairman), and all the members except Mr. Morris. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The draft report was further considered in committee. The Commission adjourned at noon.