I.—lo.

4

Mr. Macandrew gave notice that he would, at a future meeting, move the following motion—viz,, That, in the opinion of this Committee, it is expedient, in the interest of agricultural industry, that distillation of spirits should be resumed in New Zealand, and that there shall be a differential duty of Bhillings per gallon in favour of the colonial manufacture. Mr. Lundon handed in a statement of the exports of kauri gum from June, 1856, to 1871, which was read and discussed. Thereupon, Captain Col beck gave notice that be would, at a future meeting, move the following motion—viz., That, in the opinion of this Committee, the kauri gum fields owned by the Crown should not in the future be leased to any one person, as has been the practice in the past, but that licenses to dig gum should be issued to gum-diggers (on the payment of a fee), on the same principle as is now in force for gold-mining purposes; and that the Minister of Lands be requested to instruct the various Land Boards to co-operate, in order to carry out this proposal. This being all the business, the Committee adjourned sine die.

Tuesday, 9th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Captain Colbeck, Mr. Lundon, Mr. Macandrew, and Mr. Murray (Chairman). The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Petition No. 270, signed by seventy-two Maoris, praying for the imposition of duty on maize imported from Eiji and other islands, was read and discussed. Whereupon Captain Colbeck moved the following resolution : "That having already reported upon the matter of the import duty upon maize, the Committee press upon the House the necessity to give effect to that report." —Carried. Captain Colbeck's motion, notice of which was given at last meeting, was next considered. On motion of Captain Colbeck, Resolved, That the original motion, " That, in the opinion of this Committee, the kauri gum gold fields owned bv the Crown should not in the future be leased to any one person, as has been the practice in the past, but that licenses to dig gum should be issued to gumdiggers (on the payment of a fee) on the same principle as is now in force for gold-mining purposes; and that the Minister of Lands be requested to instruct the various Land Boards to co-operate in order to carry out this proposal," should be altered to the following : "That, in the opinion of this Committee, the practice of leasing considerable areas of kauri gum lands to individuals, with the exclusive right to dig for gum, should forthwith be discontinued, and that licenses to dig gum on Crown lands should be issued to the people engaged in that industry upon payment of a reasonable fee, under a similar system to that which prevails on gold fields. The Committee would further recommend that the Minister of Lands do take the necessary steps to give immediate effect to the foregoing proposal." —Carried. The clerk was instructed to write to Dr. Hector, requesting him to furnish the Committee with particulars as to the acclimatization and growth of the olive. The Committee then adjourned.

Thursday, 11th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Ballance, Captain Colbeck, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Lundon, Mr. Macandrew, Mr, Murray (Chairman), and Mr. Wright. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from Mr. Robertson, dyer, of Nelson, relative to the manufacture of woollen yarns, &c, was read, and ordered to be considered at a future meeting. On the motion of Mr. Macandrew, Resolved, That Dr. Hector be summoned to give evidence, on Monday, the 14th instant, at 10 o'clock a.m. Mr. Ballance gave notice that he would, at the next meeting, move the following—namely, That with a view to the extension of the practical usefulness of the Geological Department, the name should be changed to that of the Department of Science and Industries ; and that the department should be charged with the duty of collecting information, and reporting to the Government from time to time, on the best means of establishing and encouraging the mining and various industries of the colony This being all the business, the Committee adjourned till Monday, the 15th instant, at 10 a.m.

Monday, 15th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Ballance, Captain Colbeck, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Lundon, Mr. Macandrew, and Mr. Murray (Chairman) The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Nicholas Reid attended and gave evidence, which was recorded. Dr. Hector, of the Meteorological Department, attended, and was examined, his evidence being taken down. Mr. Ballance's motion (notice of which was given at last meeting) was next considered. Resolved, That, with a view to the extension of the practical usefulness of the Geological Department, the name should be changed to that of the Department of Science and Industries, and that the department should be charged with the duty of collecting information, and reporting to the Government from time to time, on the best means of establishing and encouraging the agricultural, mining, and manufacturing industries of the colony. On the motion of Mr. Ballance, Resolved, That the following be added to the former resolution— viz.: That the Government be requested to place a sum of £1,000 upon the estimates towards giving effect to the above resolution. On the motion of Mr. Macandrew, Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Committee, it is