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Letter from Mr. Graham, Chairman of " The Poverty Bay Petroleum and Kerosene Company (Limited)," dated Gisborne, 16th July, 1873, submitting that a bonus should be olfercd on the production of a stated quantity of rectified oil. (Appendix No. 1.) Letter from Dr. Hector, informing the Chairman he could attend any day he wished. Letter from Major Campbell, enclosing a treatise on the habits, cultivation, and propagation of the olive tree. Dr. Hector attended before the Committee, and gave evidence on coal and iron. (Appendix No. 2.) The Committee then adjourned sine die.

Wednesday, 20th August, 1873. Present: Mr. Murray, Mr. Webb. Hon. Mr. Eichardson, The meeting lapsed, there bciug no quorum.

Monday, 25tii August, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Carrington, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. O'Conor, Mr. J. Shephard, Mr. Seymour, Mr. Webb. Mr. Murray in the Chair. The minutes of the two last meetings were read and confirmed. The Committee considered the subject of the Buller and Ngakawau Coal Fields. Mr. Albert Beetham, Managing Director of the Albion Coal Mining Company, made a statement to the Committee, which was taken down in writing and ordered to be attached to the proceedings ; ho also produced to the Committee a letter from Captain Leech, Harbour Master at AVestport, which is attached to the proceedings. (Appendix No. 3.) Mr. Oswald Curtis, Superintendent of Nelson, made a statement to the Committee, which was taken down in writing and ordered to be attached to the proceedings ; he also laid before the Committee a letter from Mr. Dobson, Provincial Engineer at Nelson, which is attached. (Appendix No. 4.) The Committee adjourned till Thursday, 28th August, 1873.

Tiiuesday, 28th August, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Carrington, Mr. Seymour, Hon. Mr. Bichardson, Mr. Webb. Mr. Murray in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee considered the subject of the Mount Eochfort and neighbouring Coal Fields. A telegram from Mr. Acton Adams to the Chairman, dated 28th August, 1873, referring to the Albion Coal Mining Company's articles of association, is attached. (Appendix No. 5.) Mr. John Blackett, Assistant Chief Engineer to the New Zealand Government, appeared before the Committee, and was requested to give his opinion as to the transit of coal for shipment from Mount Eochfort and back country. Opinion taken down in writing, and attached to proceedings. (Appendix No. 4a.) The Committee adjourned till Monday, Ist September, 1873.

Monday, Ist September, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Seymour, Mr. Steward, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Webb. Mr. Murray in tlio Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee considered the subject of Petroleum. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Seymour, That a bonus on kerosene produced within the Colony be offered to the extent of Gd. per gallon, Tip to 50,000 gallons, payable on quantities of 10,000 gallons at a time, to be sold at a fair average price, the quality being approved by the Government. The Committee adjourned till Wednesday, 3rd September, at 11 o'clock.