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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Monday, 21st August, 1882. Present : Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Conolly, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. Hursthouse, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Shephard, Mr. Sutton. The order of reference of the 18th August was read. On the motion of Hon. Major Atkinson it was resolved that Mr. Conolly take the chair. Mr. J. E. Brown moved, For the purpose of taxing land specially benefited by the construction and equipment of railways with borrowed money, it is desirable, —■ 1. That the colony be divided into districts embracing as near as possible railways having a common commerce or interest. 2. That a tax be levied on the capital value of all land to recoup the colony any difference between the net earnings (including maintenance, repairs, and renewals) and the annual interest on the cost of construction and equipment of the railways in such districts respectively: Provided that until some portion of a railway is open for traffic no tax shall be levied. 3. That the Government be requested to give effect to the aforesaid by immediate legislation. After some discussion the debate was adjourned until the next meeting. On the motion of Sir John Hall, Besolved, That a return be laid before the Committee showing the expenditure since 1870 out of loan upon each class of public work in each province, and the interest returned in each case. On the motion of Mr. Seddon, Besolved, That a return be laid before the Committee showing the Customs returns in each provincial district in each year since 1870, and the population of each provincial district at every census during the same period. Besolved, That the Committee, on its rising, adjourn till 11 o'clock to-morrow. Besolved, That the order of reference and these resolutions be printed for the use of the Committee. The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday, 23ed August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. Hursthouse, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Seddon, Mr. Shephard, Mr. Sutton. The Chairman not being present at the commencement of the proceedings, Besolved, That Mr. Seddon take the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On the Chairman's arrival Mr. Seddon vacated the chair, which was taken by the Chairman. The motion of Mr. J. E. Brown was then further discussed, and again adjourned until next meeting. The Committee then adjourned.

Thuesday, 24th August, 1882. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. J. E. Brown, Mr. Conolly (Chairman), Mr. Seddon, Mr. Shephard, Mr. Sutton. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Besolved, That the title of the Committee be altered to " Special Taxing for Public Works Committee." The motion of Mr. J. E. Brown was again under discussion. Mr. Sutton moved the following amendment to Mr. J. E. Brown's resolution: That, having in view the impossibility of arriving at a fair estimate of the value that has been given to property by the construction of public works in the past, or anything like a reliable estimate of the increased values that will be given to property by the extension of railways and other public works in the future, this Committee is of opinion,— 1. That all properties which have received or shall receive any additional value by the expenditure of public moneys in the construction of public works should contribute in proportion to the increased value through the property-tax. 2. That, while country land has been largely increased in value by the construction of public works, it cannot be doubted that large addititional values have been given to town lands by this expenditure. 3. That many of the original owners of property having realized, the enhanced value of their lands cannot be reached by any form of taxation upon land only, and it would be inequitable to compel present owners to pay taxation in respect of values for which they have paid. 4. That if there is any profit in the working of our railways it should belong to the general taxpayers, and should not be credited to owners of landed property in the several districts.