1.—4

6

Mr. Mills, ironfounder at Wellington, appeared before the Committee and made a statement on the subjects of iron and iron ore, which was taken down in writing, when he was requested and consented to draw up a full report on these subjects, and others within his experience, for submission to the Committee on Monday, the loth September. The Committee adjourned till AV rednesday, the 10th instant, at 11 o'clock.

Wednesday, 10th September, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Carrington, Mr. Seymour, Mr. O'Conor, ' Mr. Webb. Mr. Murray in the Chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. A telegram from the Mayor of Westport to the Chairman, dated 10th September, was read, and ordered to be attached to the proceedings. (Appendix No. 8.) Mr. II P. Higginson, Superintending Engineer to the Government, was in attendance before the Committee and gave evidence, which was taken down in writing, and ordered to bo attached to the proceedings. The Hon. Mr. Bonar, M.L.C., appeared before the Committee and gave evidence, which was taken down in writing, and ordered to bo attached to the proceedings. On the motion of Mr. O'Conor, Resolved, That the Ecporter be called up to give evidence relative to alterations made by Mr. Beetham in his evidence. The Eeporter was accordingly called before the Committee, and he stated that the report in shorthand, of Mr. Bcetham's evidence, as taken by him and translated, was correct, except some verbal alterations, which he pointed out to the Committee. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. O'Conor, That the Chairman be requested to draw and furnish the heads of a report upon the Buller Coal Field, to be submitted to the Committee at a meeting to be convened for that purpose to-morrow. Tho Committee adjourned until Thursday, the 11th September, at 11 o'clock a.m.

Thursday, lira September, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. O'Conor, Mr. J. Shephard, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Webb. Mr. Seymour, Mr. Murray in the Chair. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. On motion of Mr. Seymour, the following report was adopted. (See Eeport No. 2, of 11th September, p. 1.) Mr. Stewart, a resident at Poverty Bay, and a Director of the Poverty Bay Petroleum Company, appeared before the Committee, in order to make a statement relative to the prospects of the company, of which ho is a director. It was Resolved, that Mr. Stewart should be requested to submit to the Committee a written report on the subject, at a meeting to take place on Tuesday next, the 16th September. (Appendix No. 9.) To which Mr. Stewart assented. The Committee adjourned till Friday, the 12th instant, at 11 a.m.

Friday, 12tu September, 1573. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr. Steward, | Mr. Webb. Mr. Murray in the Chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Butt, Postmaster at Wellington, appeared before the Committee to make a statement on the subject of the introduction into the Colony of trout and salmon; when it was arranged that Mr. Butt should prepare and submit to the Committee, on Tuesday, the 16th September, a written report on the above subject. (Appendix No. 10.) The Committee adjourned till Monday, the 15th instant, at 11 a.m.

Monday, 15th September, 1873. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: Mr O'Conor, Mr. Steward, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. Webb. Mr. Murray in the Chair.