H.—2

XI

Wellington, Monday, Bth Apeil, 1895. The Commission met at 10 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. Mr! Lethaby, of Dunedin, returned his evidence, together with a letter from certain umbrellamakers indorsing Mr. Lethaby's evidence. Resolved, That the letter be printed. William Drapper, of Christchurch, returned his evidence, together with a letter giving additional details. Resolved, That the same be printed. William Ferguson, Secretary, Wellington Harbour Board, attended, and asked to be allowed to indorse the request of the Timaru Harbour Board as to admitting dredging machinery and ropes and hawsers free of duty. J. E. Evans, saddler and leather-goods maker, attended and pointed out certain anomalies in the tariff affecting his trade. E. W. Mills, iron merchant, attended and pointed out anomalies affecting the hardware trade. F. M. Shortridge, representing W. and G. Turnbull and Co., attended and asked that the lead used in the packing of tea be admitted free of duty. Mr. Mackenzie raised the question of certain alterations in the evidence given by Mr. Shannon. After some discussion it was resolved, on the motion of Mr. Stevens, That Mr. Shannon be requested to attend to-morrow with reference to the alterations in connection with his evidence, and that Mr. Tanner and Mr. McGowan be appointed a sub-committee to go through same with Mr. Shannon, and either allow or disallow the corrections. Mr. Mackenzie stated it would be necessary for him to go South to-day on urgent private business, but he would rejoin the Commission at New Plymouth. • The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Wellington, Tuesday, 9th Apbil, 1895. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Harry Eanish, of Wright, Eanish, and Co., asked that the duty on imported slates for billiardtables should be removed. Dilnot Sladden, secretary, Wellington Meat Export Company, asked that the duty on certain machinery and on certain kinds of salt should be removed. Charles Trevethick, of the Lower Hutt, brushmaker, asked for an increase of duty on certain imported brushware. William Hutchison, bootmaker, delegate from the Wellington Bootmakers' Union, attended to support the requests made by the union in Christchurch. T. Corlet, currier, Johnsonville, attended, and asked for an increase of duty on certain kinds of imported leather. Karl Locher, of Wellington, importer, attended, and made a statement as to certain difficulties existing in the way of passing invoices. Some discussion ensued as to the stay of the Commission on the west coast of the North Island. Hon. Major Steward moved, That arrangements be made so that the Commission should leave New Plymouth on next Tuesday week. Mr. Hutchison moved, That Saturday be substituted for Tuesday. Upon the amendment being put, Messrs. Hutchison and Tanner voted for it, and Messrs. Steward, Stevens, and McGowan against. So it passed in the negative. Upon the original question being put, it passed in the affirmative. The Commission adjourned at 4.30 p.m. until Tuesday next, at 10 a.m., at Palmerston North.

Palmebston Noeth, Tuesday, 16th Apeil, 1895. The Commission opened at the Council Chambers, Palmerston North, on Tuesday, 16th April, 1895, at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. McGowan, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Tanner. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. David Bower. Harris, of Palmerston North, asked that certain medical appliances, &c, be admitted free of duty. William Park, stationer, asked that exercise- and copy-books for school purposes be admitted free. Eev. Father Patterson asked that the duty should be removed from organs and church furniture. William Lewis Luxford, manager, Palmerston Sash, Door, and Timber Company, asked for an increased duty on jarrah piles imported from Australia, and for the removal of the duty on certain imported sawmilling machinery. Mr. Luxford, on behalf of Messrs. Eichter, Nannesteid and Co., asked for an increased duty on flour.