H.—2,

XXXVII

J. M. Douglas, hatter, asked that hatters' furnishings should be admitted free, and made suggestions as to the mode of fixing duty on hats, &c. J. P. Kissell, coach-painter, and president of the Liberal Association, Canterbury, gave evidence as to the duty on agricultural machinery, bicycle fittings, and other materials imported into the colony. The Commission adjourned at 10 p.m. until to-morrow at 9 a.m.

Chbistchuech, Thuesday, 21st Maech, 1895. The Commission met at 9 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Stevens, Mr. Tanner, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Hutchison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. E. G. Wright, manager, Gas Company, Christchurch, asked that the duty on appliances used for gas- and electric-lighting be placed on an equal footing. John Armstrong, hosiery- and yarn-maker, asked that certain hosiery used by small manufacturers be admitted free. _ Eobert Haywood, of Haywood Brothers, asked for protection against inferior class of pickles. _ Horatio Nelson, of Nelson, Moate, and Co., asked for an increase of duty on tea packed in certain ways. G. S. Jakins, grain and produce merchant, asked that certain parchment-paper, used tor packing butter, should be admitted free. O. W. Owles, importer of oilskins, asked for a reduction of duty on imported oilskins of the Yarmouth brand. . J. H. Whitcombe, of Whitcombe and Tombs, asked for a reduction of duty on oils used in making inks, and for an increase of duty on articles of imported stationery. H. Milb'gan and J. A. Kemp, secretary and president of Canterbury Operative Bootmakers' Society, asked 'for an increase of duty on imported boot-machinery. James McLellan, secretary, Tailoresses' Union, and Mrs. Simpson, Miss Locke, and Miss McPherson, members, attended* and asked for an increase of duty on imported wearing-apparel. William Boag, H. J. Derrett, Charles Hill, Thomas Hayton, and Alfred Mitchell attended as a deputation from farmers, and asked for an increased duty on onions. P. Duncan, of P. Duncan and Co., gave evidence on agricultural machinery and the duty affecting same. James Chalmers and George W. Watson, secretary and president Amalgamated Society of Engineers, attended, and made corrections in previous evidence. ° Frank N. Adams, of Adams, Curtis, and Co., asked that the component parts of bicycles,except tires and rims, be admitted free, as at present. Edward Pigeon, of Hind, Wood, and Co., and H. James Shaw and James Miller, brushmakers, asked for an increase of duty on imported brushware. C. H. Williams, secretary, Lyttelton Harbour Board, asked that certain chemicals used for refrigerating purposes be admitted free, and also certain kinds of ropes. The Commission adjourned at 6.15 p.m. until Monday next, at Hokitika, at 2 p.m.

Hokitika, Monday, 25th Maech, 1895. The Commission opened at the Supreme Court Office, Hokitika, at 2 p.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. McGowan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. James Mandl, brewer and manufacturer of colonial wine, gave evidence on the duty as affecting the wine trade. John Tate, of Tate and Ward, photographers, and James Park, president of the Westland Camera Club, asked that certain articles used in the photographic business be admitted free. Henry Leslie Mischel, coffeemaker, asked that the duty should be reduced or removed on the raw coffee-beans. T. H. Gill, rector of the High School; Herman Augustus Baucke, president, Miners' Association; James Webster, secretary,; C.J. E. Linneman; Henry Leslie Mischel, and McLean Watt Jack, were introduced as a deputation by his Worship the Mayor (Mr. James Mandl) from those interested in the mining industry, and gave evidence on the bearing of the tariff on the mining industry. James Renton, ironmonger, asked that the woodwork of a certain patented saw should be admitted free. On the motion of Mr. Stevens, a vote of thanks was passed to Edward Chilman, Collector of Customs, for arranging the hours for the attendance of witnesses, &c. The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. until to-morrow at 2 p.m., at Greymouth.

Geeymouth, Tuesday, 26th Mabch, 1895. The Commission opened at the Harbour Board Office, Greymouth, on Tuesday, the 26th March, 1895, at 11 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stevens, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.