D.—2.

(No. 3.)

(No. 4.)

Nelson, Tuesday, sth Decembeb, 1882. The Commission met at 3 o'clock, in the City Council Chambers. Mr. G. T. .Fell, solicitor, addressing the Commissioners, said : I have been desired by the Committee to examine the witnesses we propose to bring before you. I purpose making a statement of the position the Nelson people take in regard to the railway question, and I should prefer doing so after you have heard the evidence of facts, if such a course would be convenient to you. The Chairman : The course you propose to adopt will be quite convenient to the Commissioners, Mr. Kobekt Dishee, Waimea West, examined. 469. Mr. JFell.'] Do you know the Tarndale country ? —Yes, well. - 470. When did you first visit Tarndale ? —About 1866. 471. What did you go there for?—l went there to work as a labouring man for Messrs. Saxton. 472. Who were they ?—They were runholders. 473. At that time I believe they were the holders of Tarndale Station ? —Tes. 474. You were employed by them in the year 1866 ? —Yes. 475. How long did you stay in their service ?—I remained with them for about two years. Mr. Pike had the station after them. I still stayed there. 476. For how long continuously ?—A year. 477. Messrs. Edwards and Kerr afterwards took the station ?—Yes. I stayed with them for eight or ten years. I was there thirteen years altogether continuously. I was their manager during the last six years. 478. Were you there winter and summer ? —Yes. 479. Of those winters which was the worst? —The first winter I was there was the worst. 480. Do you remember the winter of 1867 ? —Yes. 481. Is that what has been commonly called the " bad winter " ? —Yes. 482. Why has it been called the " bad winter" ? —Because there was more snow all over the country that winter. All the country both north and south of the Amuri suffered more or less that winter. They lost a lot of sheep in the Amuri. 483. Was there a fall of snow at Tarndale ? —Yes. 484. Since the year 1867 do you recollect what you would call a serious fall of snow ?—No. 485. Has there ever been since then such a fall of snow as would in any way obstruct traffic ?— Not to my knowledge. 486. You must Ijave known it, as you were there ? —Yes, I would have known it. 487. During those years were you able to go about your work in the winter season ?—Yes. 488. In the general management of the sheep station ? —Yes, I used to muster the sheep every month. 489. Do you remember the winter of 1870 ?—Yes.

30

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'o o "S a I j CQ o 1 o 1 O o M •a O i is ■s H O S3 o .3 •a PQ d I in OS Pi 0 M E Is o E-i ■I B o A CO d H I IE "3 M PR O w 3 1 55 3 Ichedule 1 „ 2 „ 3 4,622 4,584 186 141 16 16 81 86 185 5 74 98 42,940 67,388 67,388 61,384 10192 6,386 643 ... 6,212 ... I 4,351 12,472 2,552 5 5,000 5,000 6* 35 56 9,392 173 167: |56 264 98] 42,940 ■ 61,384 10192 o,386 643 6,212 4,351 12,472 2,552 5 ej 35