H.—2.

XXVIII

James Fleming, of Christchurch, wrote concerning Dacca hides from Calcutta. Mr. Worboys, Mauriceville, asked for the removal of the 20-per-cent. duty on magic-lanterns used in State schools. Thomas White, silversmith, of Christchurch, wrote concerning tariff on silver- and electroplated goods. Resolved, That the same be acknowledged. The Commission then adjourned until Monday next at 10.45 a.m.

Wellington, Monday, 11th Febeuaby, 1895. The Commission met at 10.45 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Hutchison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following correspondence was received, and ordered to be acknowledged, namely: C. H. Mills, M.H.R., Havelock, enclosing letter from Brownlee Brothers, asking for a remission of 20-per-cent. duty on certain machinery; U.S. Public Works, enclosing extracts of letter from J. Heatly, Dunedin, dealing with the duty on rice; John C. Thomson, Riverton, on the question of the imported printed billheads; T. R. Chamberlain, Feilding, as to raising the duty on imported flour. R. Bell and S. Philips attended, and gave evidence on the question-of a wax-vesta manufactory at Wellington. William Cable, of the Lion Foundry, Wellington, asked for a remission of duty on certain appliances used in the iron trade which could not be made in the colony. Frederick Calton, of Wellington, saddler, asked for a remission of duty on kangaroo-skins used for making whip-thongs. The Commission adjourned at 4.30 p.m. until 10.45 a.m. to-morrow.

Wellington, Tuesday, 12th Febeuaby, 1895. The Commission met at 10.45 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Stevens, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Hutchison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Some formal correspondence was received and read, and ordered to be acknowledged. Coleman Phillips attended, and made a statement of the outward trade, and in what manner the trade could be encouraged as regards New Zealand and the South Sea Islands. On-the motion of Mr. Stevens, Resolved, That a special vote of thanks be passed to Mr. Phillips for the interesting paper he had read before the Commission. G. H. Poynter, shoemaker, Wellington, attended, and made a statement asking for a reduction of the duties on the higher-class leathers which are not made in the colony. George Norton, boatbuilder, Wellington, attended, and asked to have a duty placed on imported racing-boats. Henry Neill, watchmaker, of Dunedin, attended, and asked for a reduction of duty on certain imported watchmakers' tools. Samuel Carnell, M.H.R., attended, and made a statement, as representing the photographers of the colony, as to the duty on photographers' materials. A telegram from the fruit-growers of Teviot and Alexandra, asking for a visit from the Commission, was read and ordered to be acknowledged. On the motion of Mr. Hutchison, Resolved, That the Commission sit at Christchurch on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Monday next, and then proceed to Dunedin on the Tuesday, and open on Wednesday following, it being understood that the Commission sit again at Christchurch on its return, before proceeding to Greymouth. Colonel Hume wrote offering the use of a constable at the different places to act as a messenger. The Commission then adjourned, at 4.30 p.m., until Thursday next, at Christchurch.

Chbistchuech, Thubsday, 14th Febeuaby, 1895. The Commission opened at the Land Board Office, Christchurch, on Thursday, 14th February, 1895, at 3 o'clock p.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Stevens, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. McGowan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Several letters from persons offering to attend and give evidence were received and read,-and a time fixed for hearing same. The Commission then adjourned until to-morrow at 10.45 a.m.

Chbistchuech, Feiday, 15th Febeuaby, 1895. The Commission met at 10.45 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. McGowan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Further applications were received from persons wishing to give evidence, and a time was fixed for taking same,