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Clause 5 agreed to as follows: "The Committee also consider that the haulage-rates to both the Mokihinui and Westport-Cardiff Companies mines are excessive, and should be reduced by Id. per ton." Clause 6 agreed to as follows: " That this Committee recommends that the present contract be annulled for the purpose of making a new agreement, such fresh agreement being consistent with the views of the Committee as herein expressed." Clause 7 agreed to as follows: " The Committee however consider that the fact that the Mokihinui Company's line is connected with the Government line, and lies between the coal districts of Mokihinui and Westport, renders it desirable that the Government should negotiate for the purchase of that branch, the purchase-money to come from the funds of the Westport Harbour Board, and to be dealt with in the same way as the £36,000 spent on the extension of the line from Ngakawau to Mokihinui." Besolved, on the motion of the Hon. Mr. Seddon, That the above be the report of the Committee, and that the same be reported to the House, and be referred to the Government. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m.

Saturday, Ist Septembee, 1894. Present: Mr. Crowther, Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Elatman, Mr. Massey, Mr. Eussell, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Wilson. Upon the question being proposed that the minutes of the previous meeting be confirmed, Mr. Earnshaw moved, That the same be amended by the insertion of a minute to the effect that he, Mr. Earnshaw, had retired from the room before clause 3, and the subsequent clauses of the report on the Westport-Cardiff Coal Company's petition, were considered. And upon the Committee dividing on the question that the words proposed to be added be so added, the names were taken down as follow:— • Ayes, 3 : Mr. Crowther, Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Massey. Noes, 3: Mr. Elatman, Mr. Eussell, Mr. Tanner. ■• The voting being equal, the Chairman gave his casting vote with the noes. The amendment was consequently negatived, and the minutes confirmed without amendment. Two orders of reference, dated 29th August, 1894, were read by the Clerk. After consideration of other business, the Committee adjourned until Tuesday next, at 10.30 o'clock.

Tuesday, 4th September, 1894. Present: Mr. Flatman, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Eussell, and Mr. Tanner. In consequence of a quorum of members not being present the meeting lapsed. Minutes confirmed.

Wednesday, sth September, 1894. Present: Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Elatman, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Eussell, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Wilson. Minutes of the two previous meetings read and confirmed. Mr. Earnshaw moved, " That the Committee recommends that the minutes of evidence, the minutes of proceedings, and the correspondence dealing with-the petition be printed." Mr. Morrison moved, by way of amendment, " That the further consideration of the motion be postponed until to-morrow." Upon the amendment being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 2: Mr. Elatman and Mr. Morrison. Noes, 4: Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Eussell, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Wilson. Amendment lost. Upon the original motion being put, a division was called for, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 2 : Mr. Elatman and Mr. Morrison. Noes, 4 : Mr. Earnshaw, Mr. Eussell, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Wilson. So it passed in the affirmative. The Committee then adjourned until to-morrow, at 11 o'clock, for the consideration of other business.

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