H.—2

XIV

Hamilton, Thuesday, 2nd May, 1895. The Commission met at the Council Chambers, Hamilton, on Thursday, 2nd May, 1895, at 10 a.m. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Charles Miller Best, varnish-manufacturer, Avondale, Auckland, gave evidence. James Burton, manager of the Estates Company, Hamilton ; Joseph Gane, president of the Farmers' Club; Robert Fisher, vice-president; Edward Allen, William Tucker, and Alfred Gain, members; James Hume, president, Waikato Agricultural Association; John Fisher, vice-pre-sident ; and Isaac Coates, member, attended as a deputation, and gave evidence. P. Le Quesne, general merchant and wine-manufacturer, gave evidence. A deputation from the Waikato Fruit-growers' Association, consisting of William Johns, president ; John Sharp and T. Potts, vice-presidents; Andrew Karl, George Mann, John Ohyre, George Edgecombe, and Walter Daw, members, were introduced by Mr. Lang, M.H.R., and gave evidence. On the motion of Mr. Tanner, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to his Worship the Mayor for granting the use of the Council Chambers during the stay of the Commission at Hamilton. The Commission adjourned till Tuesday next, at 10.30 a.m., at Napier.

Napiee, Tuesday, 7th May, 1895. The Commission met at the Council Chambers at 10.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Hutchison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. John McKenzie, builder, Hastings, gave evidence on net-floats. F. Wilson, boot-manufacturer and importer, and J. O'Shea, secretary of the Hawke's Bay Boot-manufacturers' Union, attended and gave evidence in regard to the duty on boots, &c. A deputation from the members of the Harbour Board, consisting of Mr. Swan, Mr. Williams, Mr. Vautie'r, Mr. Carr (Engineer), Mr. Saunders (Secretary), Captain Davidson, Mr. Neal, and Mr. W. Kinross White, was introduced by Mr. S. Carnell, M.H.R., and evidence was given concerning the duty on cement used in connection with harbour works. Rev. Dean Hovell, Church of England; J. Wilson Craig, representing Rev. William Paterson, Presbyterian Church; T. Morrison, representing Cathedral Vestry, Church of England; and J. B. Fielder, churchwarden, Napier Cathedral, attended as a deputation from the different denominations (the Rev. Dean stating he had been requested by Father Groggan, Roman Catholic Church, to represent him, as he was unable to attend), and asked that church furniture and fittings be exempted from duty. On the motion of Mr. Stevens, Resolved, That a hearty vote of thanks be passed to his Worship the Mayor for granting the use of the Council Chambers to the Commission during its stay at Napier. The Commission adjourned at 4 p.m. till Thursday next at 10.30 a.m., at Wellington.

Wellington, Thuesday, 9th May, 1895. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Some correspondence was read and ordered to be acknowledged. After some discussion as to the lines of framing the report, Mr. Mackenzie moved, That the Hon. the Premier be asked to inform the Commission whether it is expected that any readjustment of the tariff shall not affect the total amount of Customs revenue, or whether the Commission is to report independently of such consideration. The motion, not being seconded, lapsed. On the motion of Mr. Tanner, Resolved, That the Commission respectfully inform the Government that the evidence collected is so extensive that they are satisfied they cannot give due consideration to it within the short time now at their disposal for compiling their report, and they therefore ask an extension of the Commission to the last day of the current month. After some further formal business was transacted the Commission adjourned until to-morrow at 10 a.m.

Wellington, Feiday, 10th May, 1895. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received and read from William Young, jun., of the Pukerua Plantation, Rangiriri, Auckland, covering a letter addressed to the Chairman on the question of a duty on Mimosa, or wattle-bark, and, as the writer had not had an opportunity of attending to give evidence verbally, it was resolved, that the letter be received as evidence, and be printed.^ E. W. Davidson, seed expert, Masterton, attended and gave evidence. After the witness withdrew, Mr. Tanner moved, and Mr. Stevens seconded pro forma, That all the evidence relative to seeds be struck out, as not having any relation to the scope of the Commissioners' inquiry.