a.—2.

MINUTES OF PKOCEEDINGS-

Wanganui. Dr. MoAethur arrived in Wanganui, Wednesday, Bth May, 1912. Thursday, 9th May, 1912. An informal meeting was held by the Commissioners, at which preliminary matters were discussed and agreed upon. Hawbba. Friday, 10th May, 1912. The Commission sat at the Courthouse, Hawera, at 2 p.m. on Friday, the 10th May, 1912.1 Present: Dr. Alexander McArthur, S.M. (Chairman), and William Kerr, Esq., S.M., Commissioners. The secretary and official reporter, H. E. Le Grove, and W. Scon, Interpreter, were also in attendance. T. W. Fisher, Esq., Under-Secretary for Native Affairs, was also present. The commission was read in both the English and Maori languages. Mr. R. D. Welsh, solicitor, Hawera, appeared on behalf of forty-four of the lessees, and agreed to hand in a list of the names of such lessees. Mr. W. H. D. Bell, M.P., solicitor, Wellington, appeared on behalf of all the Native owners. Mr. Zachariah, District Manager for the Public Trust Office, was also in attendance to produce any documents the Commission may require. Mr. Welsh addressed the Commissioners and opened the case on behalf of the lessees, which was taken down by the reporter. At 4.30 o'clock the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. next day. Saturday, 11th May, 1912. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Dr. McArthur, S.M., and William Kerr, Esq., S.M. Messrs. Fisher, Welsh, Bell, and Zachariah were also in attendance. Charles Andrews, farmer, Okato, was called by Mr. Welsh, and gave evidence on oath, being cross-examined by Mr. Bell and questioned by the Commissioners, the evidence being taken down by the reporter. At 12.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday, 13th May. Monday, 13th May, 1912. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Dr. McArthur, S.M., and William Kerr, Esq., S.M. Messrs. Fisher, Welsh, Bell, and Zachariah were also in attendance. The following witnesses were called by Mr. Welsh, and gave evidence on oath, being crossexamined by Mr. Bell and questioned by the Commissioners, the evidence being taken down by the reporter : Charles Andrews, recalled ; Joseph Best, farmer, Mangamingi; H. P. Best, farmer, Normanby ; A. Newell, farmer, Hawera ; Robert Palmer, farmer, Hawera ; William Kelly, farmer, Stratford ; E. R. Hastie, farmer, Kaupokonui. At 4.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 15th May, at Opunake. Opunake. Wednesday, 15th May, 1912. The Commission met at the Courthouse, Opunake, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Dr. McArthur, S.M., and William Kerr, Esq., S.M. Messrs. Welsh, Bell, and Zachariah were also in attendance. The following witnesses were called by Mr. Welsh, and gave evidence on oath, being crossexamined by Mr. Bell and questioned by the Commissioners, the evidence being taken down by the reporter : T. P. Hughson, storekeeper, Rahotu ; E. J. Dudley, farmer, Opunake ; J. Clarke, farmer, Okato. At 4 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Saturday, 18th May, at New Plymouth. New Plymouth. Saturday, 18th May, 1912. The Commission met at the Courthouse, New Plymouth, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Dr. McArthur, S.M., and William Kerr, Esq., S.M. Messrs. Bell and Zachariah wer ; also in attendance. J. J. Elwin, settler, came forward and gave evidence on oath, being examined by Mr. Bell and members of the Commission, the evidence being taken down by the reporter. At 12.30 p.m. the Commission adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday. Monday, 20th May, 1912. The Commission sat at 10.30 a.m. Present: Dr. McArthur, S.M., and William Kerr, Esq., S.M. Messrs. Bell and Zachariah were also in attendance.

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