H.—22

16

Tuesday. 2nd March, 1915. The Commission left Christchurch at 9.30 a.m. for Plumpton Park, and on arrival at 10 a.m. inspected the course and appointments at Plumpton in connection with the application of the Christchurch Racing Club. The Commission then met the following deputation from the club, viz. :F. 11. Pyne, 0. Dalgety, G. Gould, C. S. Hull, and A. Rattray, secretary. G. Witty, Esq., M.P., was present and introduced (he deputation. The Commission then proceeded to the Riccarton Racecourse, and at II a.m. met the following deputation from the Christchurch Hunt Club, viz. : J. 1). Hall, vice-president; 11. A. Knight and D. C. Rutherford. G. Witty, Esq., M.P., was present and introduced the deputation. The Commission left Christchurch at 1.30 p.m. and arrived at Rangiora at 3 p.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club; and at 3.15 p.m. met the following deputation from the club, viz. : J. G. Macdonald, president; G. V. Starkey, steward; M. Scott, treasurer; and A. J. Tullon. secretary. The Hon. D, Bmhlo, M.P., was present and introduced the deputation. The Commission left Rangiora at 3.40 p.m. and arrived at Ohoka at 4.20 p.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Ohoka-Eyreton Jockey Club; and at 4.30 p.m. met the following deputation from the club, viz.: J. 11. Power, H. A. Cooper, J. McGrath, C, McGrath, T. Mabley, J. Mortl.and, J. O'Connor, and C. Walker. The Hon. I). Buddo, M.P,, was present and introduced the deputation The Commission returned lo Christchurch at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, 3rd March, 1915. The Commission left Christchurch at 8.50 a.m. and arrived at Amberley at 10.31 a.m., and at, once inspected the course and appointments of the Amberley Steeplechase Club in connection with tile application of the Brackenfield Hunt Club. The Commission then left for Culverden, and on arrival at 12.30 p.m. met the following deputation from the latter club, viz. : M. Bethell, master; and Messrs. G. V. Starkey and G. Lance, committee. The Commission loft Culverden at, I p.m. and arrived at Kaikoura, at 6 p.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Kaikoura Racing and Trotting Clubs. At 7.30 the Commission met the following deputation from the I'ormei club, viz.: Edmund Parsons, president; R. T. Pope, secretary; and Messrs. G. Renner, I']. Gibson, T. Vangoni, J. Brier, J. Gilbert, C. \ r aile, J. G. Coffey, A. J. Marshall, F. Emms, I!. 11. Powell, ami W. Renner. At 8 p.m. the Commission met the following deputation from the Kaikoura Trotting Club, viz. : A. J. Marshall, president; F. Emms, secretary; and Messrs. J. W. Davidson, W. A. Smith, J. Fox, J. Maple, Edmund Parsons, R. T. Pope, G. Renner, W. Renner, E. Gibson, T. Vangoni, J. Brice, J. Gilbert, C. Vaile, J. G. Coffey, and I.'. H. Powell. The Commission then adjourned.

Thursday, 4th March, Mil". The Commission left Kaikoura. at 8 a.m. and arrived at Cheviot at 12.30 p.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Cheviot Racing Club; and at I p.m. met the following deputation from the club, viz. : R. C. Wilson, president; T. Sullivan, secretary; J. Fleming and T. C. Robinson, vice-presidents; W. Payne, treasurer; and Messrs. H. I). Leaman, E. J. Jackman. J. Speedy, P. Dalton, 11. GeesOri, W. Martin, J. X. Pritchard, R. Chisholm, J. J. MacCoskey, D. McLaren, C. Barnes, T. Taylor, and R. MolTaii, G. W. Forbes, Esq., M.P., was present and introduced the deputation. The Commission left Cheviot at 2.8 p.m. and reached Christchurch at 6.45 p.m.

Friday, sth March, 1915. The Commission left Christchurch at 8 a.m. and arrived at Rakaia at D.30 a.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Rakaia Racing Club; and al 9.45 met the following deputation from the club, viz.: F. 0. May, chairman; J. V. Oxley, secretary; and Hon. C. A. C. Hardy, M.L.C., Messrs. L, Oxley, R. Harrison, W. J. Baxter, L. Ruddick, 'I. Blaokley, and A. J. Mason. W. J. Dickie, Esq., M.P., was present and introduced the deputation. The Commission left Rakaia at 10 a.m. and arrived at Methven at 11.30 a.m., and met the following deputation from the Methven Racing Club, viz.: A. F. Cuff, chairman; J. F. Stone, secretary; H. McLean, J. Nee, D. M. McKurdy, T. Twomey, D. McDonald, —- Morgan, S. Smith, and P. McNeil, vice-presidents; W. Carleton, treasurer; IT. Greene, judge; S. G. Holmes, patron ; Dr. Mcßae, and Messrs. J. Pof'f, N. C. Nordgorst, — Fitz-Gibbons, J. McAnnully, C. Ireland, T. Doherty, John Stewart. F. Newman, - Crowley, and — Harrison, stewards. W. J. Dickie. Esq.. M.P., was present and introduced the deputation. The Commission then inspected the present course of the Methven Racing Club and the property which the club proposes to purchase for its new course. The Commission left Methven at 12.30 p.m. and arrived at Mount Somers at 2.30 p.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Mount Somers and Springburn Racing Club; and at 3 p.m. met the following deputation from tlie club, viz. : A. Harvey, president;