LXVII

C—l 2.

The following witnesses were also examined :— : T. C. List, chairman of Taranaki Expansion League. Clement W. Govett, solicitor. George H. Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands for Taranaki. John Johnston, Dairy-produce Grader. H. J. Okey, M.P. Charles Ahier, timber-merchant. The Commission adjourned at 2.45 p.m., and next day proceeded to Wellington

Wellington, Fbidat, 2nd Mat, 1913. The Commission met at Parliament Buildings at 2 p.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were received from Messrs. W. A. Banks, Medbury; J. H. Hudson, Hoteo; T. Thompson, Westport; T. Harle, Oxford; and J. Butler, Ruatapu, on the subject of the inquiry. The Commission proceeded to consider the drafting of the report.

Wellington, Satubday, 3rd May, 1913. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Mr. Adams was authorized to return to the South Island, and to report on Conical Hills Plantation, which the Commission had been unable to visit on account of bad weather. Messrs. Murdoch, Clarke, and Lethbridge were appointed a subcommittee to inspect and report on the reserves at Swanson, Henderson, Wade, and Okura. The Chairman, Dr. Cockayne, and the Secretary were authorized to proceed with the preparation of the draft report.

Wellington, Thursday, 15th May, 1913. The Commission met at 10 a.m., all the members excepting Mr. Adams being present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from the Under-Secretary for Lands enclosing the Governor's Warrant extending the Commission to the 31st May. Letters were also read from several other persons concerning matters being inquired into by the Commission. Kenneth W. Dalrymple, farmer, liangitikei, attended and gave evidence. The Commission adjourned at 3.15 p.m.

Wellington, Fbiday, 16th May, 1913. The Commission met at 10 a.m., all the members being present except Mr. Adams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. John MacPherson handed in a written statement of his views on value of shelter and other plantations. The following witnesses were sworn, and gave evidence : — William Henry Bennett, representing the executive of the New Zealand Federation of Builders. Professor H. B. Kirk, professor of biology at Victoria College. Dr. Valintine, Inspector-General of Hospitals. A Hamilton, F.R.G.S., Director of the Dominion Museum. Dr. A. K. Newman, M.P. H. A. Goudie, Superintending Nurseryman for the North Island. George G. Schwartz, president of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. David Cuddie, Director of the Dairy-produce Division of the Department of Agriculture, Winnard M. Singleton, Assistant Director of Dairy-produce Division of the Department of Agriculture. The Commission adjourned at 4.45 p.m.

Wellington, Monday, 19th May, 1913. The Commission met at 10 a.m. All the members were present excepting Mr. Adams. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was resolved that, as it was difficult to discriminate as to its relative value, the whole of the evidence, as reported, be printed. The following persons attended, and gave evidence : —