H.—2

XLVII

A letter was received from Mr. Bell, of the Union Oil, Soap, and Candle Company, Auckland, returning his evidence, and stating that he had struck out certain questions and answers as irrelevant to the question of the tariff. Resolved, That the omitted matter be included in the evidence. The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. to-morrow.

Wellington, Thursday, 16th May, 1895. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. McGowan, Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Hutchison. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from Harold Pattie, of Sydney, regarding the duty on sheep remedies. The letter was ordered to stand over. A letter was forwarded through the Premier from E. N. Ogden, Dunedin, secretary, Association of Felt Hatters, regarding the duty on hats. The letter was ordered to be considered later on, and reply to be sent accordingly. The Commission took into consideration item "chlorate of lime," under the heading of " drugs, &c." The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. until 10 a.m. to-morrow.

Wellington, Friday, 17th May, 1895. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Stevens, Mr. McGowan, and Mr. Mackenzie. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was read from John Avery, Spring Grove, Nelson, asking if there were any objections to his disclosing the evidence given by him before the Commission; and also a letter from A. H. Bridge, Dunedin, asking to be supplied with a copy of the evidence given by him before the Commission. The Secretary was ordered to reply that no evidence could be made public, or copies furnished, until the report was laid on the table of the House. The Commission took into consideration item 169, " machinery n.0.e." The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m. till 10 a.m. to-morrow.

Wellington, Satueday, 18th May, 1895. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Tanner, Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. McGowan. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Commission took into consideration the items under the heading of "timber, and articles made from timber," "oils, paints, &c," and " cordage "; and at 1.15 p.m. adjourned till Monday next, at 2.30 p.m. _

Wellington, Monday, 20th May, 1895. The Commission met at 2.30 p.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Tanner, Mr. Mackenzie, and Mr. Stevens. * The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Several letters offering suggestions on the tariff were received, and ordered to be acknowledged. The Commission resumed the consideration of items under the heading of "cordage," " agricultural products," and "miscellaneous," and also on a number of reserved items, and at 10 p.m. adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow.

Wellington, Tuesday, 21st May, 1895. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Major Steward (Chairman), Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Tanner, and Mr. Stevens. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Commission concluded the consideration of "reserved items," and afterwards considered the various items suggested by witnesses for duty or remission of duty, and also some suggestions from Mr. Glasgow ; and at 5.30 p.m. adjourned until to-morrow at 10.30 a.m.

Wellington, Wednesday, 22nd 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. A letter from Graves Aickin, representing Sharland and Co. (Limited) and the retail drug trade, Auckland, giving his views for the simplification of the tariff, was read and ordered to be acknowledged.