4

1.-~sa,

The Chairman asked if the Committee wished the evidence written out and a copy given to each member. On this being assented to, Mr. Briggs promised to have eight copies ready for next meeting and the remainder as soon as possible. The Committee then resumed consideration of the Bill at clause 3. The Chairman proposed its postponement, but as this was opposed by Mr. Hall a division was called, and there voted— For the motion. —-Hon. Mr. McNab, Messrs. Bennet, Ell, Flatman, Fraser, Greenslade, Jennings, Kirkbride, Laurenson, Lawry, Malcolm, Mills, and Witty.—l3. Against. —Mr. Hall.—1 The Chairman proposed that subsection (1), clause 4, stand part of the Bill. Mr. Hall moved to insert the following words after the word " land," in line 42, as an amendment■•: ■ ■'.' Set aside as an endowment under clause 3 of this Act." This having been objected to a division was called, and there voted— For the amendment. —Messrs. Bennet, Fraser, Greenslade, Hall, Jennings, Kirkbride, Malcolm, and Witty.—B. Against. —Hon. Mr. McNab, Messrs. Duncan, Ell, Flatman, Laurenson, Mills.—6. The amendment was therefore carried, and the clause as amended agreed to. Subsection (2). Agreed to. Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 5, (1), subsection (a). Agreed to. Subsection (6). Agreed to. Subsection (c.) Agreed to. Subsection (2). On the motion of Mr. Flatman it was agreed to substitute the word " twentyfour " for " twelve," in line 17, and the words "of a permanent character " were inserted after the word " improvements " in the 21st line. Mr. Kirkbride gave notice that at the next meeting he would move, That this Committee be furnished by the Government with a return of all estates w-hich exceed £50,000 unimproved value; such return to state area, value, names of owners, and provincial districts in which these estates are situate. The Committee then adjourned.

Consideration of the Bill was then resumed, and Thuesday, 20th September, 1906. . The Committee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Hon. Mr. McNab, Messrs. Bennet, Duncan, Ell, Flatman, Fraser, Greenslade, Hall, Jennings, Kirkbride, Laurenson, Lawry, Malcolm, Mills, and Witty. Mr. Martin, solicitor, was also present. The minutes of the previous meetings were read and confirmed. Mr. Fraser drew attention to an article in this morning's paper, in which the business of the Committee, of the 19th instant, appeared to have been disclosed. Mr. Kirkbride moved the following motion, of which he had given notice: " That the Committee be furnished by the Government with a return of all estates which exceed =£50,000, unimproved value, such return to state area, value, names of owners, and provincial districts in which these estates are situate. . Hon. Mr. McNab moved, by way of amendment, to omit the words " names of owners." The amendment having been put, was declared carried on the voices. A division was called for, and there voted — For the amendment. —Hon. Mr. McNab, Messrs. Duncan, Ell, Flatman, Greenslade, Hall, Laurenson, Lawry, Mills, and Witty.—lo. - Against. —Messrs. Bennet, Fraser, Kirkbride, and Malcolm.—4. The amendment was therefore carried. The motion as amended was then put, and agreed to. : Clause 5. Subclause (3) (lines 22 and 23) agreed to. Subclause (3), subsection (a) agreed to. Subsection (6) agreed to. Subsection (c) agreed to. Subclause (4) agreed to. Subclause (5). On motion of Mr. Witty, the following amendments were made: The word "twenty-four" substituted for the word " twelve," in the 36th line, and the word " six " for " three " in the 38th line. The subclause as amended was then put and agreed to. Subclause (6). On the motion of Mr. Flatman, the word " sixty " was substituted for the word " thirty " in the first line on page 4; and, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. McNab, the words "of a permanent character " were added after the word " improvements " in the 4th line, and the words "or arbitration " at the end of the subclause. The subclause as amended was then put and agreed to. Subclause (7) agreed to. Subclause (8) agreed to. Subclause (9) agreed to. Subclause (10) struck out. Clause 6, subclause (1).