H.— 2

Wednesday, 13th March, 1901. The Commission met at 9.45 a.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Bell (solicitor for Crown), Dr. Findlay (counsel for Receiver), Mr. Coates (Receiver for debenture-holders), and Mr. Blow (Under- Secretary for Public Works) were in attendance. Henry Edward Whitfield, Inspector of Permanent-way, New Zealand Railways, Greymouth, was called and further examined. James Ferguson Nelson, Foreman of Works, New Zealand Railways, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Henry St. John Christophers, District Engineer, New Zealand Railways, was called, sworn, and examined. Walter Irving, sharebroker and commission agent, Reefton, was called, sworn, and examined. William George Murray, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Westland, was called, sworn, and examined. John Ainslie Montgomerie, District Surveyor, Reefton, was called, sworn, and examined. Mr. Bell (counsel for Crown) handed in che contracts, schedules, and prices to supplement Mr. Waldie's return of the 9th February, 1901 ; and also a schedule taken out from that contract (Exhibit No. 15). Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Graham, That the following witnesses be notified that they will be required to give evidence before the Commission, viz.: Andrew Matheson, Mayor and merchant, Greymouth ; Duncan McLean,, merchant, Greymouth ; Andrew McKay, contractor, Greymouth; Felix Campbell, merchant, Greymouth; Joseph Jay, sawmiller, Greymouth; Edward Iveagh Lord, City Valuer, Greymouth; Adam Blair, sawmiller, Greymouth; Joseph Scott, mine-manager, Blackball; Robert Alison, mine-manager, Brunnerton ; Henry L. Michel, merchant, Hokitika; and James Marshall, ex-Chairman, Grey County Council, and farmer, Totara Flat. At 5 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 9.45 a.m. to-morrow.

Thuesday, 14th March, 1901. The Commission met at 9.45 a.m. Present : Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mrl Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, at the request of counsel for the Receiver, That the Clerks of the Wardens' Courts at Greymouth, Reefton, and Ahaura be asked to furnish, at their earliest convenience, the following returns, viz. :— (1.) A return for each of the years 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, and 1900, showing the total number of applications made to the Warden or the Wardens' Courts for— (a) Mining privileges, (b) special claims and licensed holdings of 20 acres and upwards, (c) extended claims of a less area than 20 acres. (2.) A return for each of the years 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, and 1900, showing the total number of these several rights which were granted. And letters were forwarded accordingly. Mr. Bell (counsel for Crown), Dr. Findlay (counsel for the Receiver), Mr. Coates (Receiver for debenture-holders), and Mr. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) were in attendance. John Ainslie Montgomerie, District Surveyor, Reefton, was called and further examined. Thomas Whillians Bruce, sheep-farmer, Inchbonnie, was called and further examined. Andrew Matheson, Mayor and merchant, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Duncan McLean, merchant, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Felix Campbell, merchant, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. James Marshall, farmer, Totara Flat, was called, sworn, and examined. Joseph Jay, engineer, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Edward Iveagh Lord, borough engineer, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Adam Blair, sawmiller, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Andrew McKay, mine-owner and contractor, Greymouth, was called, sworn, and examined. Horace Baxter, Audit Inspector, Dunedin, was called and further examined. Henry St. John Christophers, District Engineer, Greymouth, was called and further examined. At 5.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 9.45 a.m., to-morrow.

Friday, 15th Mabch, 1901. The Commission met at 9.45 a.m. Present: Mr. McKenzie (Chairman), Mr. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hudson, and Mr. McKerrow. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Hudson, That Mr. Hugh Cassidy, coach-proprietor, Springfield, be asked to furnish the following return at his earliest convenience, viz. : A return of coach passenger traffic for the period Ist May, 1895, to 20th July, 1900, to and from Springfield to and from the West Coast; passengers to and from Jackson's to be shown separately.

XXXI