I.—6a

4

Louis Alfred Maigan, briokmaker, New Lynn, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Hopkins Thomas, late railwayman, Waikumete, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. Walter White, labourer, Henderson, gave evidence, which was taken down by the reporter. John Francis McDerinott made a statement, which was taken down by the reporter. The Committee then adjourned.

Thursday, 11th September, 1913. The Committee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Buick (Chairman), Mr. Dickson, Mr. Hine, Mr. Myers, Mr. Sidey, Mr. Sykes, Mr. Veitch, Mr. Witty, Hon. Mr. Herries. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Ronayne and Mr. McVilly, Railways Department, attended All parties interested again attended. Mr. Dickson moved, That the evidence taken at the departmental inquiry lie laid before tlie ('ommittee for their use. On the question being put the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 2. —Mr. Dickson, Mr. Veitch. Noes, 4.—Mr. Buick, Mr. Sykes, Air. Myers, Hon. Mr. Herries. So it passed in the negative. The Chairman administered the oath to the different witnesses dining to-day's sitting of the < ommittee. The undermentioned witnesses were called by the Railways Department : — Joseph Richard Benney, engine-driver, Stafford Street, Parnell, Auckland, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. Charles Graham Little, fireman, Ponsonby, Auckland, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. John Howard Hooton, guard, 85 Rose Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland, was questioned, the ■ | iie'si i<ms and answers being taken down by the leporter. John James Cm ich, acting-driver. Frinton Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken-down by the reporter. Walter Frederick England, fireman, Henderson, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. The witness had not completed when the Committee adjourned until 10 a.m. on Friday, the 12th instant.

Friday, 12th September, 1913. The Col ittec met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present : Mr. Buick (Chairman), Mr. Dickson, Mr. Myers, Mr. Sykes. Mr. Veitch, Hon. Mr. Herries. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Ronayne and Mr. McVilly, Railways Department, attended. The undermentioned witnesses were called by the Railways Department : — Examination of Walter Frederick England, fireman, Henderson, was completed, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. The Chairman administered the oath to witnesses during to-day's sitting of the Committee. Walter James Carr, guard, Henderson, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. Thomas William Mortimer, tablet-porter, New Lynn, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. Henry John Wynne, signal and electrical engineer, New Zealand Railways, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. William Scott, locomotive foreman, Prospect Road, Mount Eden, Auckland, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by the reporter. Francis Taylor Murison, locomotive engineer, Auckland, was questioned, the questions and answers being taken down by tlie reporter. The Committee then adjourned until 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, the 16th instant.

Thursday, 18th September, 1913. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Buick (Chairman), Mr. Dickson, Mr. Hine. Mr. Sykes. Mr. Veitch, Hon. Mr. Herries. Minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Ronayne and Mr. McVilly, Railways Department, attended. Mr. J. Bollard, who presented the petition, attended. • Mr. Buick not being present at the commencement of the meeting, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Herries, Mr. Hine took the chair.