5

H.—2.

Wednesday, 15th May, 1878. Peesent: Dr. Knight in the chair. Mr. Bradshaw. | Hon. Mr. Reynolds. The Commissioners proceeded to inspect the establishment of Messrs. Hallenstein Brothers' New Zealand Clothing Factory, and took evidence from the following employees : —Catherine Kirk, Marianne Jane Wilson, Sarah Palmer, Margaret Gow, and Elizabeth Amy. The Commissoners next proceeded to the establishment of Messrs. Saunders and Co., Drapers, Clothiers, &c, Princes Street, and took evidence from two of the employees, as under: —Annie Bower and Sarah Harris. The Commissioners then proceeded to the establishment of Messrs. Brown, Ewing, and Co., Drapers, Clothiers, &c, Princes Street, where the evidence of the following employees was taken:— Mrs. Scott, Rosina Jewitt, Christiana Morrison. The Commissioners also inspected the premises of Messrs. Herman and Co., Otago Clothing Factory, Stafford Street, but took no evidence there. The Commission adjourned till 11 o'clock a.m. the following day.

Thuesday, 16th May, 1878. Peesent: All the Commissioners. The Commissioners proceeded by train to Mosgiel, and visited the Mosgiel Woollen Factory, at which place the evidence of the following persons was taken: —John Dryden, Manager; Jane Thomson, Jane Renwick, Jane Riddle, William Patun, employes. The Commissioners, having returned to Dunedin, met in the Customhouse, when the Chairman read the following telegram he had received from Wellington:— " Government Buildings, 15th May, 1878. —Dr. Knight, Dunedin. —No. 466. Ministers regret to find from your telegram that, in appointing the members to an unpaid Commission without asking their prior consent, they have imposed a duty on them which it seems they are not satisfied to undertake upon such terms. Ministers much regret that they should have unintentionally behaved with any discourtesy, and apologise for it. Tour telegram is accepted as a resignation of the Commissioners, so you will return at once to Wellington.—G. S. Whitmoee." Resolved, That the consideration of the telegram be adjourned till 10.30 o'clock a.m. the following day. The Commission adjourned accordingly.

Feiday, 17th May, 1878. Peesent : Mr. Bradshaw in the chair. Mr. Fulton, Mr. Strode. Hon. Mr. Reynolds, Consideration of the telegram read at the previous meeting resumed. Resolved, That, there having been no intimation, either in the Commission or in the letters appointing the Commissioners, that the usual practice would be departed from of remunerating those whose time was to be occupied in inquiring into a matter affecting the public interest, the Commissioners are of opinion that it does not now meet the case, when the work of the Commission is nearly completed, for the Government to interpret the telegram sent into an intention by the Commissioners to resign; and therefore it is proposed, with the concurrence of the Government, that the Commissioners complete the duties devolving upon them under the Commission. Resolved, further, That Dr. Knight be requested to transmit a copy of this resolution, by telegraph, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Resolved, That the Commission adjourn till 2 o'clock p.m. on Wednesday next, and that Mr. Ewing, of Brown, Ewing, and Co., and the Sanitary Inspector be requested to attend on that day for the purpose of giving evidence. The Commission adjourned accordingly.

Wednesday, 22nd May, 1878. Peesent: Dr. Knight in the chair. Mr. Bradshaw, Hon. Mr. Reynolds. Mr. Fulton, | The Chairman read the following telegram which he had received previous to forwarding the resolution passed at the last meeting : — " Government Buildings, 17th May, 1878. —Dr. Knight, Dunedin.—Please consider my direction to mean return when your Audit duties are completed. I do not desire to interfere with your action with regard to them. Of course, if Commission does not wish to close proceedings, you are at liberty tp tkae part.—G. S. Whitmoee."