1.—7

4

On trie motion being put, That the proposed terms of purchase for the Eakaia and Ashburton Forks Bailway in Agreement No. 1, Parliamentary Paper D.-sb, are fair and reasonable. Mr. Dargaville moved, as an amendment, To strike out the words " fair and reasonable," and to substitute " such as the Committee can recommend." The original words were withdrawn by leave of the Committee, and, the motion as amended being put, the Committee divided : — Ayes, B.—Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Hislop, Dr. Newman, Sir J. Vogel, Mr. Wilson. Noes, -2.—Mr.. Barron, Mr. Montgomery. Motion carried accordingly. Waimate Bailway. Moved by Sir Julius Vogel, That the proposed terms of purchase for the Waimate Eailway in Agreement No. 2, Parliamentary Paper D.-sb, are such as trie Committee can recommend. On the motion being put the Committee divided : — Ayes, 4.—Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Sir J. Vogel. Noes, s.—Mr. Barron, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Newman, Mr. Wilson. The question was accordingly decided in the negative. Duntroon-Hakateramea Bailway. Moved by Sir Julius Vogel, Triat the proposed terms of purchase for the Duntroon-Hakatera-mea Bailway in Agreement No. 3, Parliamentary Paper D.-sb, are such as the Committee can recommend. On the motion being put the Committee divided: — Ayes, B.—Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Hislop, Dr. Newman, Sir J. Vogel, Mr, Wilson. Noes, 2.—Mr. Barron, Mr. Montgomery. Motion carried accordingly. Thames Valley and Botorua Bailway. Moved by Sir Julius Vogel, That the proposed terms of purchase for the Thames Valley and Botorua Eailway in Agreement No. 4, Parliamentary Paper D.-sb, are such as the Committee can recommend. On the motion being put the Committee divided: — Ayes, B.—Major Atkinson, Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dargaville, Mr. Hislop, Dr. Newman, Sir. J. Vogel, Mr. Wilson. Noes, 2.—Mr. Barron, Mr. Montgomery. Motion carried accordingly. Kaihu Valley Bailway. Moved by Sir Julius Vogel, Triat trie terms proposed in clause 25 of the District Bailways Purchasing Bill are such as the Committee can recommend. The motion was by leave withdrawn, and the following substituted by Sir Julius Vogel:— Triat trie Committee approve of the proposed guarantee of £50,000 of debentures if they are secured by first mortgage on works costing between £85,000 and £90,000, and by such other security, if any, as the Governor in Council may consider necessary. Amendment proposed by Mr. Barron, To strike out the words "if any." On the question being put the Committee divided :— Ayes, 2. —Mr. Barron, Mr. Montgomery. Noes, s.—Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Dr. Newman, Sir J. Vogel, Mr. Wilson. Amendment negatived accordingly, and trie original question put and carried. On the motion of Mr. Cowan, it was resolved that the report be presented to the House at to-day's sitting.