I.—ll.

Mr. Eraser then took the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones (Minister for Public Works), Mr. J. H. B. Coates (petitioner), Mr. Norman H. M. Dalston (petitioner), Mr. C. H. Mills, M.H.B. (who presented the petitions), Dr. Findlay (solicitor for the petitioners), and Mr. H. D. Bell (solicitor for the Crown) were in attendance. A shorthand reporter was also in attendance to take notes. Mr. T. Humphries, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Nelson, attended, and handed in a map (incomplete). On motion of Mr. Morrison, Besolved, That the map in question be sent to Mr. Humphries, Nelson, for completion, and be returned to this Committee when completed. On motion of Eight Hon. Mr. Seddon, Besolved, That the applications refused be marked green, and those granted be marked blue, on the map. Mr. Gerhard Mueller, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Auckland, was called by Mr. Bell, sworn, and examined. Mr. H. L. Michel, merchant, and Mayor of Hokitika, was called by Mr. Bell, sworn, and examined. Mr. J. F. Byrne, Chairman of the Westland County Council, was called by Mr. Bell, sworn, and examined. Mr. D. J. Evans, Clerk of the Westland County Council, was called by Mr. Bell, sworn, and examined. The Committee then adjourned till the following day at 10.30 a.m.

Thdesday, 13th September, 1900. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. W. Eraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Palmer, and Captain Bussell. In the absence of the Chairman, Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Palmer, That Mr. W. Fraser do now taken the chair. Mr. Fraser then took the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones (Minister for Public Works), Mr. J. H. B. Coates (petitioner), Mr. Norman H. M. Dalston (petitioner), Mr. C. H. Mills, M.H.E. (who presented the petitions), Dr. Eindlay (solicitor for the petitioners), and Mr. H. D. Bell (solicitor for the Crown) were in attendance. A shorthand reporter was also in attendance to take notes. Mr. T. H. Bannehr, editor of the Nelson Colonist, was called by Mr. Bell, sworn, and examined. Mr. John Staines, a settler from the West Coast, was called by Mr. Bell, sworn, and examined. Mr. Bell then summed up. Dr. Findlay asked for an adjournment, which was granted. L' The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 20th September, 1900. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. W. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Palmer, Captain Bussell, and the Eight Hon. E. J. Seddon. In the absence of the Chairman, Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Palmer, That Mr. W. Fraser do now take the chair. Mr. Fraser then took the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones (Minister for Public Works), Mr. J. H. B. Coates (petitioner), Mr. Norman H. M. Dalston (petitioner), Mr. C. H. Mills, M.H.E. (who presented the petitions), Dr. Findlay (solicitor for the petitioners), Mr. H. D. Bell (solicitor for the Crown), and Mr. Blow (Undersecretary for Public Works) were in attendance. A shorthand reporter was also in attendance to take notes. Mr. Norman H. M. Dalston (petitioner) was called by Dr. Findlay, sworn, and examined. Mr. Dalston handed in certain written statements to the Committee. Mr. H. J. H. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) was called, sworn, and examined. Dr. Findlay addressed the Committee. The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 25th September, 1900. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. W. Fraser, Mr. Graham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Palmer, and the Eight Hon. Mr. Seddon. In the absence of the Chairman, Besolved, on the motion of Mr. Palmer, That Mr. W. Eraser do now take the chair. Mr. Eraser then took the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed The Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones (Minister for Public Works), Mr. J. H. B. Coates (petitioner), Mr. Norman H. M. Dalston (petitioner), Mr. C. H. Mills, M.H.E. (who presented "the petitions), Dr, Findlay (solicitor for the petitioners), Mr. H. D. Bell (solicitor for the Crown), and Mr. H. J, H.

IV