H.—2

XXXIX

Nelson, Tuesday, 2nd Apeil, 1895. The Commission met at 9.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter from James Sclanders was read, in which he stated certain troublesome inconsistencies in the tariff existed, and that such had already been pointed out by wholesale importers and others, but that, the principle of the tariff being one of complete protection, and the evidence obtained by the Commission being all in that direction, it was useless for a Free-trader like himself, with no axe of his own to grind, to appear before the Commission. On the motion of Mr. McGowan, Resolved, That Mr. Sclanders's letter be acknowledged, with an expression of regret that he should have erroneously assumed that it is useless for a Free-trader to appear before the Commission, as the Commission are desirous of learning the views of persons of all shades of opinion, and have invited by advertisement the attendance of witnesses quite irrespective of any particular policy. Samuel Kirkpatrick, jam-manufacturer and meat-preserver, gave evidence in respect to his business. W. T. Glasgow, Secretary of Customs, handed in notes on the tariff from the Collectors of Customs at Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland, with his own notes thereon. Resolved, That the same be brought up later on for consideration. The Very Rev. Father Mahoney, S.M., the Eev. Mr. Kempthorne, Dr. Cressey, Messrs. A. T. Maginnity, and Hamilton, representing a deputation from the Eoman Catholic, the Church of England, and the Presbyterian Churches, attended and asked that church furniture and accessories, such as a peal of bells, organs, vestments, ornaments, &c, should be admitted dutyfree. Dr. Cressey, attended and asked that certain medical instruments and appliances, such as catheters, splints, &c, and which are at present dutiable, should be admitted free, as surgical instruments. . Alfred Harley, farmer, asked that hops and fruit should be admitted free. The Commission, at 4.30 p.m., adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, at Blenheim.

Blenheim, Thursday, 4th Apeil, 1895. The Commission opened at the Council Chambers, Blenheim, on Thursday, 4th April, 1895, at 10.30 a.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Brownlee and Co., saw-millers, Havelock, regretting that they could not attend and give evidence, but urging their former request that certain saw-milling machinery which could not be made in the colony should be admitted free. Letter ordered to be acknowledged. J. J. W. White, representing Messrs. G. Freeth and Co., viticulturists and wine-makers, gave evidence protesting against the proposed treaty with South Australia. Frank Pain, decorator, asked that the lens used in magic-lanterns should be admitted free, the same as photographers' lenses. R. W. Jenkins, banker, asked that the raw material used in a certain sheep-drench should be admitted free. W. Tindill, farmer, Springlands, asked that the duty on peas and beans seeds imported for seed-production purposes should be removed. R. W. Jenkins, banker, gave evidence in the same direction. Edward Mead, manager of the Marlborough Co-operative Farmers' Association, gave evidence in the same direction as regards beans, and also asked that agricultural salt should be admitted free. William Baker Girling, importer, gave evidence on certain anomalies affecting his trade. On the motion of Mr. McGowan, a vote of thanks was passed to his Worship the Mayor, Blenheim, for granting the use of the Council Chambers during the stay of the Commission at Blenheim, and also a similar vote to Alfred Carter, Collector of Customs, for arranging the hours of attendance of witnesses, &c. The Commission, at 4 p.m., adjourned till 2.30 p.m. on Friday next.

Wellington, Feiday, sth Apeil, 1895. The Commission resumed its sittings at Wellington, on Friday, the sth April, 1895, at 2.30 p.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, That the Secretary do forthwith telegraph to all witnesses who have received and not yet returned their evidence to do so within three days, or the evidence would be printed without the corrections. Resolved, That a letter be sent to the Hon. the Premier asking for an extension of time for sending in the report until the 31st May next. The Commission adjourned at 3.30 p.m. until to-morrow at 10 a.m. ■