H.—2

XXXIV

Alexander Burt, of A. and T. Burt and Co., and Archibald Morrison, of Morrison and Co., ironfounders, attended and made a statement in regard to hardware, mining and dairy machinery, imported free of duty. Charles Eawlins, mine-manager, of Lawrence, made a statement, and asked that the duty be removed on certain articles used by miners. Charles W. T. Chamberlain, Collector of Customs, made a statement as to the use of spirits used in manufacturing bonds. Frank Oakden and John White gave evidence in support of further increase of duty on cement. Ernest Turner, of Turner and Co., manufacturing chemists, made a statement in regard to the duty on materials used in the making of acids. Andrew Devlin, George Chisholm, David Dixon, lapidaries, made a statement in regard to greenstone and precious stones sent out from New Zealand in the rough and imported again in a carved state. B. J. Bellett, stationer, gave evidence, and asked for an increase of duty on imported ink. J. B. McCallum, Peter Miller, and S. H. Trevena gave evidence, and asked for an increase of duty on imported saddlery. Samuel Eichard Steadman, agent and importer, and W. A. Scott, cycle-manufacturer, gave evidence as to imported bicycles and articles used in their manufacture. Alexander Thompson, sailmaker and maker of oil-clothing, gave evidence in regard to certain articles used in his trade, and asked for an increase of duty on same. On the motion of Mr. Stevens, Resolved, That the Commission spend the whole of to-morrow in visiting factories, and proceed north by the express on Wednesday next, instead of Tuesday afternoon as previously resolved. The Commission at 5.30 p.m. adjourned until to-morrow at 9 a.m.

Dunedin, Tuesday, 12th Maech, 1895. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Stevens, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. McGowan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Commission met at 9 a.m., and proceeded to Eoss and Glendining's warehouse, from whence they were driven out to the Eoslyn Woollen and Worsted Mills, and shown over same by Mr. Glendining. Then proceeded to J. Bayley and Co.'s tannery, and, after inspecting the manufactory, the evidence of J. Bayley was taken in reference to the duty on imported leathers. The Commission afterwards inspected the Otago Iron-roller Mills, and returned to town. In the afternoon the Commission inspected J. W. Faulkner's wireworks, McLeod Brothers and Co.'s soapworks, and the Mosgiel Woollen Factory.

Oamaeu, Wednesday, 13th Maech, 1895. The Commission met at the County Council Office, Oamaru, at 3.30 p.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Horace Eose, manager of the National Mortgage and Agency Company, gave evidence in support of no duty being placed on imported sheep-dip. George Brownlee, of Brownlee and Co., nurseryman and seedsman, asked that the present duty on imported water-tanks in which seeds are imported be reduced by half of the present rate. Thomas Meek, miller, and chairman of directors of the Oamaru Woollen Factory (Limited), made a statement in regard to tweeds and unions, and also as to the duty on machinery used in the woollen mills. Donald Borrie, farmer, and a member of the North Otago Association, attended by request of the Commission, and gave evidence on sheep-dip, and also on certain matters of interest to the agricultural and pastoral interests. Eobert Blair, general importer, gave evidence on earthenware. At the suggestion of the Chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. George Sumpter for his kindness in arranging the hours for the attendance of witnesses, and also a similar vote to the Chairman of the County Council, Oamaru, for placing the use of the room at the disposal of the Commission whilst at Oamaru. The Commission adjourned at 9 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. to-morrow, at Waimate.

Waimate, Thuesday, 14th Maech, 1895. The Commission met at the County Council Offices, Waimate, on Thursday, the 14th March, 1895, at 9.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Hutchison, Mr.' McGowan, and Mr. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from Coleman Phillips, of Featherston, was read, in which he asked that the map put in with his evidence should be lithographed and attached to his evidence, and that he be supplied with a copy of his evidence in order that he might place same before Mr. Eeid, the Premier of New South Wales. After discussion, Mr. Tanner moved, That the letter be acknowledged, but that no further action be taken thereon,