E.—3

XXIV

THTTE3DAT, 29TH APEIL, 1880. The Commission met at Christchurch. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Colonel Pearce, Mr. Eeid, and Mr. Wright. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Messrs W. M. Hannay, Traffic Manager, Temuka-Paknerston Section, and J. H. Lowe, Engineer for Constructed Railways, Middle Island. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Messrs. T. "W. Adams, James Gough, A. D. Mcllwraith, and M. Crosbie, who urged that a line of railway should be constructed from the main south line at the north bank of the Selwyn Eiver, following the road from the main south line along the north bank of the Selwyn, through Greendale, crossing the "Waiareka, to the junction with Bealey's track, and thence by the Hororata Valley in a direct line to the Rakaia Gorge. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Messrs. T. W. Adams, J. Gough, and A. D. Mcllwraith.

Friday, 30rn Apkjx, 1880. The Commission met at Christchurch. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Colonel Pearce, Mr. Eeid, and Mr. Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Messrs. E. C. J. Stevens, M.H.R., J. T. Fisher, M.H.E., J. T. Ford, W. Langdown, E. Banks, and "W. Jones, who advocated the construction of a railway from Christchurch to Sumner. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken • Messrs. Frederick Back (General Manager, Christchurch Eailways), J. T. Ford, J. L. Wilson, Gr. P. Williams, M.1.C.E., and Allison Smith (Locomotive Engineer, Amberley-Palmerston Sections). The Commission received a deputation consisting of Messrs.,J. Jebson, J. Austin, H. Kirk, J. E. Hanson, William Prudhoe, F. Hudson, and H. Stewart, who requested that a branch line or siding might be constructed from Sheffield Eailway Station to the Hawkins.

Monday, 3kd Mat, 1880. The Commission met at Hokitika. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of the Hon. Mr. Bonar, M.L.C., Mr. Eeid, M.H.E , Mr. M. L. Jack (Mayor), Mr. J. S. Lang (Chairman Westland County Council), Mr. Robinson, and Mr. Malfroy, who urged the desirability of constructing a railway from the East Coast to the "West Coast, and also of completing, without delay, the Greymouth-Hokitika Eailway. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken : Messrs. Robinson, Mueller (Chief Surveyor), J. Malfroy, M. L. Jack, J. S. Lang, and J. Frew, C.E.

Monday, 3ed Mat, 1880. The Commission met at Kumara. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Messrs. J. J. Pearn (Mayor), J. Wylde (Town Clerk), Councillors E. Blake and A. C. Campbell, who urged the desirability of completing the Grreymouth-Hokitika Eailway, with a deviation of the line to Kumara. The evidence of Mr. E. Blake was taken.

Tuesday, 4th Mat, 1880. The Commission met at Greymouth. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Mr. Eeid, and Mr. Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Messrs. E. Masters, M.H.E., E. Nancarrow (Mayor), A. E. Guinness (Chairman of County Council), M. Kennedy ; County Councillors J. Marshall, D. Madden, J. Eeid, J. M. Clifford, W. H. Boase, A. Ellis, P. Eoley; Borough Councillors J. Kilgour, ~W\ J. Coates, J. G-. Thomas, P. B. Cameron, and I\ C. Dupre, who urged the desirability of extending the railway from Brunnerton to Nelson Creek, and also of completing the Greymouth-Hokitika Eailway via Kumara. The evidence of the following witnesses was taken: Messrs. T. Eonayne (Greneral Manager, Brunner Eailway), E. Butler, and J. Marshall.

Tuesday, 4th Mat, 1880. The Commission met at Reefton. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Wright. The evidence of Mr. P. Brennan, Chairman, Inangahua County Council, was taken.

Saturday, Bth Mat, 1880. The Commission met at Nelson. Present: The Chairman (Mr. Curtis), Mr. Clark, Mr. Reid, and Mr. "Wright. The Commission received a deputation consisting of Messrs. Pitt, M.H.E., Acton-Adams, M.H.E., A. J. Bichmond,M,li. R.. J. E. Dodson (Mayor), J. W. Barnicoat (Chairman, Waimea County Council), and White (Chairman, Waimea Eoad Board), who urged the desirability of constructing a railway from Nelson to the West Coast.