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1.—12

Friday, 21st Septembeb, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 10.30 o'clock. Pkesent: Mr. Travers in the chair. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Mr. Eichardson. Mr. Bunny, Mr. Eolleston. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman stated to the Committee that he had applied for and obtained leave from the House for an extension of time for fourteen days in which to bring up their report. Order of reference, dated 10th September, was read. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Bunny, That the Chairman do apply to the House for a further extension of time for bringing up the report; and that Mr. J. Booth, Native Office, be summoned to attend to give evidence at the next meeting of the Committee, to be called by the Chairman. The Committee then adjourned.

Fbiday, 12th Octobeb, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 10.30. PeESENT: Mr. Travers in the chair. Mr. Ballance, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Bunny, Mr. Eolleston. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The orders of reference, dated 24th and 26th September and 4th October, were read. Mr. James Booth attended and was examined, his evidence being taken down by the reporter present. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Eolleston, — That, with a view of ascertaining the suitability for the construction of a line of railway from the Upper Hutt to Pahautanui, and from thence by the Horokiwi Valley to Waikanae, and thence to a connection with the Foxton and Palmerston Eailway, it is expedient that an immediate survey should be undertaken. That the Committee do report accordingly to the House. The Committee then adjourned.

Monday, 22nd Octobeb, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 11.30 o'clock. Pbesent: Mr. Travers in the chair. Mr. Bunny, Mr. Eolleston. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, on motion of Mr. Eolleston, that the following report be brought up to the House at its next sitting:— That the Committee have taken a considerable amount of evidence with regard to the matter referred to them, and are satisfied that the proposed line would bring into immediate use a very large extent of rich and valuable land, which must otherwise, for want of communication with Wellington, remain unavailable. The proposed line, moreover, appears to your Committee to offer the shortest route by which the whole of the country on the west coast of the Provincial District of Wellington may be brought into direct communication with the City of Wellington. That, in the opinion of your Committee, it is expedient that a survey of the line should be made with as little delay as possible, in order to determine whether it affords a practicable route for the construction of the proposed, railway. Tour Committee append copies of the minutes of their proceedings in this matter, together with the evidence taken thereon, and beg to recommend that the same be printed. Bead and confirmed, 22nd October, 1877.