1.—9.

Thursday, 24th June, 1886. The Committee sat at 10 o'clock. Present: Mr. Mitchelson (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Gore, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Walker, Mr. Whyte. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Hudson was further examined. The Committee adjourned until 10 o'clock next day.

Friday, 25th June, 1886. The Committee sat at 10 o'clock. Present: Mr. Mitchelson (Chairman), Hon. Major Atkinson, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Whyte. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Hannay, Assistant General Manager, New Zealand Eailways, was examined. On the motion of Hon. Major Atkinson the Committee adjourned until Tuesday, the 29th instant, at 10 o'clock.

Tuesday, 29th June, 1886. The Committee sat at 10 o'clock. Present: Mr. Mitchelson (Chairman), Mr. Gore, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Mr.. Eichardson, Mr. Walker, Mr. Whyte. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Hannay was further examined. Mr. Maxwell was cross-examined by Mr. Vaile. Seven petitions, to the same purport as those already received, were sent in by the Petitions Classifications Committee, and were taken as read. The Committee adjourned until 10 o'clock next day.

Wednesday, 30th June, 1886. The Committee sat at 10 o'clock. Present: Mr. Mitchelson (Chairman), Mr. Gore, Mr. Macandrew, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Whyte. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Moved by Mr. Core, and seconded by Mr. Macandrew, That Mr. William Conyers, C.E., be called to give evidence before the Committee. —Carried. Moved by Mr. Whyte, and seconded by Mr. Macandrew, That Mr. T. D. Edmunds and Mr. W. E. Moody be also called to give evidence. —Carried. The Committee adjourned sine die.

Tuesday, 6th July, 1886. The Committee sat at 10.30 o'clock. Present: Mr. Mitchelson (Chairman), Mr. Hatch, Mr. Macandrew, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr Whyte, Mr. Walker. Mr. Vaile read a reply to Mr. Maxwell's statement. It was decided to summon Messrs. Conyers, Edmunds, and Moody for Friday, the 9th July. The Committee adjourned until Friday, the 9th July, at 11 a.m.

Friday, 9th July, 1886. The Committee sat at 11 o'clock. Present: Mr. Mitchelson (Chairman), Mr. Gore, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Macandrew, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Whyte. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Conyers was in attendance, but it was thought desirable to postpone his examination until he had made himself acquainted with the evidence already given. The Committee adjourned sine die.

Tuesday, 13th July, 1886. The Committee sat at 10 o'clock. Present: Mr. Mitchelson (Chairman), Mr. Gore, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Macandrew, Mr. O'Conor, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Walker. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. Six petitions, to the same purport as those already received, were forwarded by the Petitions Classification Committee, and taken as read. Mr. Conyers was examined. The Committee adjourned until 10 o'clock next day.

IV