L—7

6

Mr. John Blackett, Marine Surveyor, was examined, and his evidence recorded. Captain Eobert Johnson, Nautical Adviser t6 Marine Department, was examined, and his evidence recorded. Resolved, That a letter be written to the Hon. Major Atkinson, stating that, should he desire to do so, the Committee will be pleased to hear any statement or evidence he can furnish re Harbour works, &c, New Plymouth. The Committee then adjourned.

Feiday, sth August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Barron, Mr. Moss, Mr. Murray, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wright (Chairman). The minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. James McKerrow, Surveyor-General, was examined, and his evidence recorded. Mr. E. C. Jones, Engineer, Wellington Harbour Board, was examined, and his evidence taken down. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 9th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Barron, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Moss, Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Weston, Mr. Wright (Chairman). The minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed, Mr. John Sperrey Property-Tax Commissioner, was examined, and his evidence recorded. A portion of the draft report, to be presented to the House, was considered. The Committee then further considered the basis upon which the report should be prepared. The Committee then adjourned.

Wednesday, 10th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Barron, 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. The draft report for presentation to the House was gone through clause by clause, and amended. On motion of Mr. Fulton, unanimously Besolved, That clause No. I—viz., " That the cost of the work to YY on Plan 404, being the shortest section of the proposed breakwater which would be at all beneficial, is estimated by Sir John Coode to be L 285,800; and that the lowest estimate, based upon the cost of similar works at Timaru and Oamaru, would be L 212,396 : as the total amount which the Board has available for the work does not exceed L 115,000, there will be a deficiency on this basis of L 97,396; whilst on Sir John Coode's estimate the deficiency will be L 150,000 " —be agreed to. On motion of Mr. Ormond, unanimously Resolved, That clause No. 2—viz., " That, as the funds at the disposal of the Board would only suffice to carry the work to a point which would secure a depth of 11 or 12 feet at low-water spring tides, which would practically be of little use for landing or shipping goods except during fine weather, the extension to V V would necessitate further borrowing being authorized by this House, and entail a still larger burden upon the owners of property within the rating district" —be agreed to. On the motion of Mr. Pitt, unanimously Resolved, That clause 3 —viz., " That the extension of the work to YY would only render it available for use by vessels of the class of the steamer " Hawea" —be agreed to. On motion of Mr. Weston, unanimously Resolved, That clause 4 —viz., "That the evidence disproves the supposition that the proposed work would be of special value to the colony as a harbour of refuge ; and the work must therefore be regarded as one of local rather than colonial character " be agreed to. On motion of Mr. Barron, unanimously Resolved, That the concluding clause—viz., " That the Committee therefore consider the results from the proposed works would be altogether inadequate to the expenditure required ; and, as but a very limited sum —not exceeding L 5,00 been expended upon the breakwater apart from plant, the Committee recommend the Legislature to at once take steps to stop the further progress of the works, and to take over the assets and liabilities, and, after providing for the latter, to devote the Land Fund to its ordinary purposes " —be agreed to. Unanimously Besolved, That the Chairman do bring up the report this night. On motion of Mr. Ormond, Besolved, That the Chairman interview the Government, and arrange, if possible, for a date for the consideration of the report. On motion of Mr. Pitt, Resolved, That the Chairman do get the evidence printed by Saturday next, if possible, either at the Government or a private printing office.

Thuesday, 11th August, 1881. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Fulton, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Murray. On motion of Mr. Fulton, Resolved, That, in the absence of Mr. Wright, Mr. Montgomery do take the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee then adjourned.