1.—5

IV

Thuksday, 27th May, 1886. The Babbit Nuisance Committee of the House of Eepresentatives met, pursuant to notice, at 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Cowan, Mr.- Dodson, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Kerr, Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan, Captain Eussell. The order of reference was read. On motion of Mr. Pulton, Captain Eussell was appointed Chairman. The Committee deliberated, and then proceeded to meet the Committee appointed by the Legislative Council, and to sit as a Joint Committee. JOINT RABBIT NUISANCE COMMITTEE. Present: Legislative Council —Hon. Mr. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. G. E. Johnson, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter. House of Eepresentatives —Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Kerr, Hon. Mr. Larnach, C.M.G., Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan, Captain Eussell. The orders of reference were read. On motion of Mr. J. Mackenzie, the Hon. Mr. G. E. Johnson was voted to the chair. The Committee deliberated. Besolved, That Mr. Bailey, Mr. McKerrow, and Mr. Valentine be summoned for Friday next (to-morrow), the 28th May. Besolved, That a Sub-committee be appointed, to consist of Mr. Cowan, Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. G. E. Johnson, Mr. J. McKenzie, Hon. Mr. Menzies, and Captain Eussell, to draw up a series of questions relating to the rabbit pest, and to be sent to such gentlemen as the Committee may deem advisable. Then the Committee adjourned till to-morrow, Friday, the 28th May, at 10.30 a.m.

Friday, 28th May, 1886. The Joint Eabbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council —Hon. Mr. G. E. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. Wilson. House of Eepresentatives—Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan, Captain Eussell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from the Hon. Secretary of the Hawke's Bay Eabbit Pest Prevention Committee, re the means adopted for prevention of the spread of the pest, was laid before the Committee by Captain Eussell. Mr. McKerrow, Surveyor-General, was examined, and, being thanked, withdrew. Mr. H. S. Valentine was examined, and, being thanked, withdrew. It was proposed to take the evidence of Mr. Bailey on Monday. Then the Committee adjourned till Monday, the 31st May, at 10.30 a.m.

Monday, 31st May, 1886. The Joint Eabbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Mr. G. B. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Walker. House of Eepresentatives — Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Hon. Mr. Larnach, C.M.G., Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan, Captain Eussell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. A list of questions drawn up by the Sub-committee, to obtain information on the rabbit nuisance, was read by the Hon. the Chairman to the Committee, which, being considered seriatim, were agreed to be adopted, and were ordered to be printed. Maps of the North and Middle Island, showing sheep divisions and subdivisions, were laid before the Committee. Sir Norman Campbell attended and gave evidence, and, being thanked, withdrew. Besolved, That the evidence taken before this Committee be printed. The Committee deliberated. Then the Committee adjourned till Tuesday, the Ist June, at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, Ist June, 1886. The Joint Eabbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Mr. G. E. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Walker. House of Eepresentatives— Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Lance, Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan, Captain Eussell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Bailey, Chief Inspector, Sheep Department, was examined. Mr. Bailey laid before the Committee a paper containing extracts from the Australasian on the use of wire-netting to fence against rabbits, and, being thanked, withdrew. A report from Mr. Forster was laid on the table by Mr. Lance. Deliberation ensued. Mr. Bailey was requested to attend the next meeting of the Committee. Then the Committee adjourned till Thursday, the 3rd June, at 10.30 a.m.