E.--3

XXIII

Tuesday, 20th Apeix, 1880. The Commission met at Oamaru. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Colonel Pearce, and Mr. Eeid. The Commission received a deputation from the Oamaru-lSTaseby Railway Committee, consisting of Messrs. Shrimski, M.H.R., S. Gribbs (Mayor), Gr. Sumpter, ,T. Lees, and T. C. Dennison, who urged that a proper working survey should be made of the proposed line of railway from Oamaru to Naseby via the Maerewhenua Pass.

Thuesdat, 22nd April, 1880. The Commission met at "Waimate. Present: Colonel Pearce (in the chair), Mr. Clark, Mr. Reid, and Mr. "Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Messrs. J. Manchester (Mayor), J. E. Parker (Chairman of the "Waimate Railway Company), J. Douglas, J. McGregor, C.8., J. Lees, P. Slee (Secretary, Waimate Railway Company), N. Hillary (County Council Engineer), M. Studholme, C. R. Howard, and "W. J. Steward, who urged that the "Waimate Branch Railway should be extended through Waihao Valley. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Messrs. J. McGregor, C.E., J. E. Parker, M. Studholme, S. Green, F. Slee, and N. Hillary.

Feiday, 23bd Apeil, 1880. The Commission met at Timaru. Present: Colonel Pearce (in thS chair), Mr. Clark, Mr. Reid, and Mr. "Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Captain Suiter (Mayor), Messrs. Turnbull, M.H.R., D. McLean, Jonas, Stubbs, Bruce, Evans, and Green, who represented that a new and more commodious railway station was required at Timaru ; and that great loss and inconvenience were caused owing to the want of cattle-yards at Timaru Station. They also urged the extension of the Albury Branch liailway to Fairlio Creek. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Mr. Willian Evans, merchant; Mr. Mark Jonas, auctioneer; Mr. Henry Green, merchant; Mr. F. W. Stubbs, land valuer; and Mr. D. McLean, auctioneer.

Saturday, 24th Apeil, 1880. The Commission met at Ashburton. Present: Colonel Pearce (in the chair), Mr. Clark, Mr. Eeid, and Mr. Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Mr. H. JYiedlander (Mayor), Councillors E. Saunders, A. Orr, J. St. Hill, T. Bullock, Messrs. J. Grigg, F. B. Passmore, J. Carter, J. Jamieson, and C. P. Cox, who represented that the railway-station accommodation at Ashburton was inadequate, and urged the desirability of extending the Ashburton Branch Railway to Mount Somers. The eyidence of the following witnesses was taken : Messrs. C. P. Cox, H. Friedlander, J. Grigg and F. B. Passmore.

Mondat, 26th Apeil, 1880. The Commission met at Christehurch. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Colonel Pearce, Mr. Eeid, and Mr. Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Sir J. Cracroft Wilson, C.8., K.5.1., Captain Hayter, Messrs. E. Wilkins, H. H. Hannah, James Lance, G. D. Leng, J. H. Davidson, E. Bethel, and J. Tinline, who advocated the extension of the railway from Amberley to Hurunui. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Messrs. J. Tinline, G. D. Leng, J. Lance, and J. H. Davidson. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Dr. Turnbull, Messrs. Cowlishaw, Coulson, Deans, Mcllwraith, Wilson, Crawford, Jerrard, Murchison, G-. Peacocke, Mitchell, T. Phillips, Charters, J. Beaumont, and TTpton, who urged that the railway should be extended from Sheffield to Coalgate through the Waianiwaniwa Valley, thence to G-lentunnel, and on through the Wairiri Valley to the •Eakaia G-orge, instead of taking the line from Homebush to Hororata. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Messrs. Eobert Coulson, W. Jerrard, J. Mcllwraith, J. Crawford, John Murchison, G. Peacocke, E. Mitchell, W. Wilson, and Dr. Turnbull.

Tuesday, 27th Apeil, 1880. The Commission met at Akaroa. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Colonel Pearce, Mr. Eeid, and Mr. Wright. The Commission received, a deputation consisting of Messrs. Jacob Waeckrele (Major), J. D. Grarwood (Chairman of Railway Committee), J. Dalglish, Or. E. Joblin, G. Sexton, W. Birdling, J. Smith, J. B. Barker, "W\ Coop, and H. Piper, who urged the desirability of constructing the Akaroa Sailway. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Messrs "W. Coop, G-. E. Joblin, H. Piper, J. Smith, and J, B. Barker.