THE RAILWAY COMMISSION

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1885, 9 March 1880, Page 3

THE RAILWAY COMMISSION

[PBOM OTTB OWN COEEEBPONDENT.] [By Tbibseaph.] WELLINGTON, March 8. The Royal Commission appointed by the Governor to report on the economical value and paying probabilities of the various New Zealand railways undertaken or projected, held a preliminary meeting on Friday last, and met twice on Saturday to make various arrangements in regard to their session, but as all the Commissioners had not then arrived, no definite steps were taken until this morning, when all the five Commissioners were present, viz.,Ool.Pearoe(Wellington), Mr O. Curtis (Nelson), Mr J. McO. Clarke (Auckland), Mr E. G. Wright, M.H.R. (Canterbury), and Mr J. Reid (Otago). The meeting was held at the Parliamentary Buildings in a com-mittee-room specially allotted to the Commission. The first business consisted in the appointment of a chairman, to which Mr Curtis was unanimously elected. It was decided to meet daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and that the meetings should not be open to the public. An interesting discussion ensued on some matters of routine and the appointment of a secretary and short-hand writer. The Commission adjourned to this afternoon, when they met again to draw up a list of various reports, returns, estimates, &0., which they required to assist them in forming their opinions regarding the various railways undertaken or proposed, and the secretary was instructed to apply to the Government for them, as also for information likely to further the object in view. Mr E. Downey was appointed secretary, and Mr Wm. Mitchell short-hand writer. Both are members of the “Hansard” staff. The Commission will sit in various parts of the colony after the session in Wellington.