1.-ll

3

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Friday, 10th October, 1909. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m. pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Graham, Mr. Laurenson, Mr. Massey, Mr. Reed, Mr. Russell, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The order of reference referring Paper No. 209 B (" Reduced Subsidy payable to Pukekohe West Road Board ") was read to the Committee. The paper being read, the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward moved, That the opinion of the Committee is that all counties, whether under the operation of the Counties Act or not, should be treated alike in the matter of subsidies, as is the law now. Mr. Massey moved, as an amendment, the addition of the following words: "but that, as the House was misled by the explanation given by the Minister of Finance when moving the second reading of the Appropriation Act of 1908, the House should be given a further opportunity of considering the matter by the local bodies affected being placed in the same position which they occupied prior to the passing of the said Act." Mr. G. F. C. Campbell, late Valuer-General, attended the meeting and gave evidence. Resolved, That the Law Draftsman who prepared the clause of the Appropriation Bill of 1908 be summoned to attend the Committee at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, the 14th day of December, 1909. Resolved, That Mr. Lang, M.P., be allowed to attend the meeting and give evidence on the subject. The Committee then adjourned. Tuesday, 14th December, 1909. The Committee met at 10 a.m. pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Allen, Mr. Buxton, Mr. Eraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Laurenson, Hon. Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Massey, Mr. Reed, Mr. Russell, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Consideration of Paper No. 209 B ("Reduced Subsidy payable to Pukekohe West Road Board ") was resumed. Mr. W. Jolliffe, haw Draftsman, attended the meeting and gave evidence. Mr. G. F. C. Campbell, late Valuer-General, attended the meeting and gave further evidence. Mr. F. W. hang, M.P., attended the meeting and gave evidence. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Reed, That Mr. Salmond's attention be drawn to the schedule to "The hocal Bodies' Finance and Powers Act, 1885," and to Schedule Six of "The Appropriation Act, 1908," in conjunction with section 9 of that Act, and that he be requested to submit to this Committee a written opinion as to whether there has been any variation in the law. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Russell, That the Valuer-General be requested to produce the bases upon which subsidies were paid within the counties of Manukau and Ashlev for the years 1907-8 and 1908-9. The Committee then adjourned. Wednesday, 15th December, 1909. Present: Mr. Graham (Chairman), in the chair, Mr. Allen, Mi-. Buxton, Mr. Eraser, Mr. Laurenson, Hon. Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Massev, Mr. Reed, Mr. Russell, Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Paper No. 209 B f" Beduced Subsidy payable to Pukekohe West Road Board"). Consideration of this papet was resumed. A letter from Professor Salmond, Counsel to Law Drafting Office, in reference to " The Local Bodies' Finance and Powers Act, 1885," and to Schedule Six of " The Appropriation Act, 1908," was read. Professor Salmond attended and was examined by members of the Committee. Mr. J. P. Dugdale, of the Valuer-General's Department, attended, made a statement, and was examined by members of the Committee. And, the witnesses having withdrawn, the motion moved by the Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, and the amendment thereon submitted by Mi-. Massey, being before the chair, Mr. Massey asked leave to withdraw his amendment to add the words " but that, as this House was misled by the explanation given by the Minister of Finance when moving the second reading of the Appropriation Act of 1908, the House should be given a further opportunity of considering the matter, by the local'bodies affected being placed in the same position which they occupied prior to the passing of the said Act." Leave granted, and the amendment withdrawn.