3

1.—14

Wednesday, 12th Septembee, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Barff in the chair. Sir E. Douglas, Mr. Joyce. Hon. Mr. Gisborne, Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Orders of reference, dated 20th September and 4th October, read. Hon. J. A. Bonar attended the Committee and gave evidence. (Vide Minutes of Evidence.) The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 16th October, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Peesent: Mr. Barff in the chair. Sir E. Douglas, Mr. Joyce. Hon. Mr. Gisborne, | Mr. Sheehan. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Chairman read telegrams received from the Harbourmaster at Hokitika relative to requirements for improving the port. (Appendix A.) Chairman read letter from Secretary to Customs, forwarding statistical information relative to quantity of shipping at Port of Hokitika. (Appendix B.) Resolved, That the Chairman telegraph to Mr. Virtue, Chairman of Hokitika Harbour Board, asking for amount required for Harbour Works, also for ai;y more information he can give the Committee. The Committee then adjourned.

Thuesday, 18th Octobee, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Peesent: Mr. Barff in the chair. Sir B. Douglas, Hon. Mr. Gisborne. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. The Chairman read a telegram from the Chairman of the Harbour Board at Hokitika, stating that from the thirty plans received, the works could be done for £30,000 to £40,000. (Appendix C.) Resolved, That the Chairman prepare a draft report to submit to the Committee at its next meeting. The Committee then adjourned.

Monday, 22nd Octobee, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Pbesent : Mr. Barff in the chair. Hon. Mr. G-isborne Mr. Woolcock. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Order of reference, dated 18th October, read. The draft interim report drawn up by the Chairman was read, and, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. G-isborne, it was resolved to be adopted aud reported to the House. The Committee then adjourned.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE ON THE IMPROVEMENT OP THE HARBOUR OF HOKITIKA.

Tuesday, 11th September, 1877. Mr. D. W. Virtue, Chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board, examined. 1. The Chairman.'] You are the Chairman of the Hokitika Harbour Board ? —Yes. 2. You are on a visit to Wellington in order to endeavour to obtain assistance in the construction of the Hokitika Harbour works? —Yes. 3. Would you be so kind as to state what the condition of the bar has been lately, and the position of affairs generally ?—During the last two months the channel has been almost entirely closed, so much so, that all vessels, with the exception of the " Waipa," drawing about four feet, have been unable to enter the bar.