1.—5

VI

Mr. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Robinson. House of Representatives—Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. J. McKenzie, Captain Russell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Mr, Inspector Forster attended and gave evidence, and, being thanked, withdrew. Papers laid before the Committee : (1.) Letter from Mr. Fraser, of the Vincent CountyCouncil, 20th May, 1886. (2.) Memorandum from Mr. Thompson, Arrow, 3rd May, 1886. (3.) Memorandum from Mr. Blundell, Blenheim. Besolved, That Mr. Pyke, M.H.R., be requested to attend the next meeting of the Committee. Then the Committee adjourned till Friday, at 10.30 a.m.

Fbiday, 11th June, 1886. The Joint Rabbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Robinson, Hon. Mr. Peter. House of Representatives— Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Captain Russell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. An order of reference was read to the Committee to consider also the administration of the Sheep Act. Mr. J. C. Brown, M.H.R., attended and gave evidence, and, being thanked, withdrew. Mr. Pyke, M.H.R., attended and gave evidence, and, being thanked, withdrew. Mr. Under-Secretary Cooper attended and gave further evidence. Papers: A letter from Mr, Inspector Forster to the Hon. the Chairman was laid before the Committee. The Committee deliberated, and adjourned till Tuesday, the 15th June, at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 15th June, 1886. The Joint Rabbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 aim. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Robinson, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. Williamson. House of Representatives—Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan, Captain Russell. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Ritchie attended and gave evidence, and, being thanked, withdrew. Papers: (1.) Letter from Mr. Pyke, M.H.R., enclosing certain resolutions referred to in his evidence before the Committee. (2.) Letter from Mr. Acton-Adams, referring to a supply of stoats and weasels. (3.) Letter from Mr. Inspector Forster, re the working of " The Sheep Act Amendment Act, 1884." (4.) Letter from Mr. Pool, re his method of destroying rabbits. Telegrams from Mr. Grace and Mr. Drummond were laid before the Committee. The Committee deliberated. Besolved, That the Hon. the Chairman do communicate the desire of the Committee to Mr. Poole that he should forward to them a description of his method for the destruction of rabbits, subject to the conditions contained in his letter. The Clerk was instructed to summon Mr. Brydone and Mr. Roberts, to give evidence before the Committee, to-morrow, Wednesday, the 16th June, at 10.30 a.m. The Committee thereon adjourned till to-morrow, Wednesday, the 16th June, at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 16th June, 1886. The Joint Rabbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Robinson, Hon. Mr. Walker. House of Representatives— Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. McMillan. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Brydone attended and gave evidence, and, being thanked, withdrew. Mr. Roberts attended and gave evidence, and, being thanked, withdrew. On the motion of Hon. Mr. Menzies, Besolved, that the following resolution be adopted, viz.: That the attention of the Government be drawn to the proposal of Messrs. Cuff and Graham, of Christchurch, to supply stoats and weasels, with a recommendation that their offer should be accepted for a large and continuous supply; also that the Government be requested to instruct their Agent at San Francisco to endeavour to send as many pine martens as he can procure. The Committee deliberated, and adjourned till to-morrow, Thursday, the 17th June, at 10.30 a.m.

Thuesday, 17th June, 1886. The Joint Rabbit Nuisance Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Legislative Council —Hon. Mr. G. R. Johnson (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Mr. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Holmes, Hon. Mr. Menzies, Hon. Mr. Peter, Hon. Mr. Robinson, Hon. Mr. Walker, Hon. Mr. Williamson. House of Representatives—Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Dodson, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Lance, Mr. McMillan. The minutes of the preceding meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Under-Secretary Cooper was present and made a statement.