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4

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Tuesday, 12th July, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Barron, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Moss, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wright. The order of reference of 7th July was read. On motion of Mr. Montgomery, and seconded by Mr. Murray, Besolved, That Mr. Wright be appointed Chairman. On motion of Mr. Montgomery, Besolved, That the Chairman, and late Engineer, of the New Plymouth Harbour Board be summoned (by telegraph) to attend meetings of this Committee, for the purpose of giving evidence, bringing with him all books, documents, plans, reports, vouchers, minutebooks, correspondence, and contracts in reference to the New Plymouth Harbour Works, now in course of construction; also, the present Engineer, if he can be spared without detriment to the works. The Committee then adjourned.

Eeiday, 15th July, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wright (Chairman). The minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Telegrams were read from the Secretary of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, informing the Committee that the Chairman of the Board will be in Wellington on Wednesday; and from Mr. Eees, stating that he will arrive by Tuesday On motion of Mr. Murray, Besolved, That the Chairman move the House to allow this Committee to sit on Saturdays and Mondays. On motion of Mr. Pitt, Besolved, That the Chairman make application for a message to be transmitted to the Legislative Council, requesting permission for the Clerk of the Legislative Council to attend a meeting of the Committee in the matter of Petition No. 11, of Residents at Patea. The Committee then adjourned till Wednesday next, at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 21st July, 1881, The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Moss, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wright (Chairman). The minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Stowe, Clerk of Legislative Council, attended as requested, and gave evidence relative to petition of Patea settlers; also handed in the petition, and papers connected therewith. Copy of Mr. Eees' report, of 28th August, 1879; also copy of Sir John Coode's report, of 17th March, 1880, were read and considered. The Committee then adjourned till Thursday, at 10 a.m.

Thubsday, 22nd July, 1881. Present: Mr. Fulton, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Moss, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wright (Chairman) Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Eees, late engineer to the New Plymouth Harbour Board, was fully examined, and his evidence taken down. The Committee then adjourned.

Satueday, 23ed July, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Mr. Moss, Mr. Murray, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wright (Chairman) Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Thomas King, Chairman of New Plymouth Harbour Board, was present and partially examined in reference to the New Plymouth Harbour works, his evidence being taken down. On motion of Mr. Pitt, Resolved, That the Chairman procure the attendance of the engineers of the Oamaru and Timaru Harbour Boards, for the purpose of giving evidence. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 26th July, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Barron, Mr. Wright (Chairman). There being no quorum, the meeting lapsed.