I.—9b.

1894. NEW ZEALAND.

RAILWAYS COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE) ON THE PETITIONS OF THE CANTERBURY FROZEN MEAT COMPANY AND NELSON BROTHERS (LIMITED); TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE AND APPENDIX.

Report brought up 22nd October, 1894, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the 3ed Day op July, 1894. Ordered, " That a Committee, consisting of twelve members, be appointed to examine into and report upon such questions relating to the construction and working of the railways as they may think desirable, with power to call for persons and papers; five to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Mr. Crowther, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Flatman, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Massey, Hon. Mr. Mitchelson, Mr. Morrison, Mr. G. W. Russell, Hon. Sir R. Stout, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

Wednesday, the 25th Day op July, 1894. Ordered, " That the names of Mr. Tanner and Mr. Wilson be added to the Railways Committee."—(Mr, Pibani.)

Wednesday, the 29th Day of August, 1894. Ordered, " That the name of the Hon. Mr. Larnach be added to the Railways Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Seddon.)

REPORT. Bepout on the Petitions from the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company and Nelson Brothers (Limited) re Freights and Facilities for carrying Frozen Produce. The Commissioners having assured the Committee that they "will make a number of trucks into meat-vans if they find the trade warrants it, and that they are arranging to run morning trains from the freezing-works to enable the meat to be rapidly shipped, the Committee consider this should be satisfactory to the petitioners. A concession in the freight charges on frozen meat would also be justified by the extent to which the trade has grown since the present rate was fixed. 22nd October, 1894. G. W. Russell.

PETITIONS.

PETITIONS FROM CANTERBURY FROZEN MEAT COMPANY AND NELSON BROTHERS (LIMITED) RE FREIGHTS AND FACILITIES FOR CARRYINGFROZEN PRODUCE.

To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives. The humble petition of the undersigned, engaged in the frozen-meat and shipping business,, showetb, — 1. That in the opinion of the petitioners the frozen-meat trade of the Provincial District of Canterbury is rapidly increasing. I—l. 9b.