A.—4,

Thuesday, 21st Febeuaey, 1901. The Commission sat at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauchamp, Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.L.C., Mr. T. W. Leys, Mr. C. M. Luke, Mr. *J. A. Millar, M.H.E., Mr. W. S. Eeid, Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G., Captain Eussell, M.H.E., and Hon. Major Steward, M.H.E. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : G. H. Whitcombe (manufacturing stationer), J. A. Frostick (boot-manufacturer, and president of Bootmakers' Union), H. Overton (farmer), C. A. Lees (grain merchant), G. Bowron (tanner and leather merchant), W. Williams (Operative Bootmakers' Union), W. Darlow (clicker), A. Anderson (ironfounder), J. Fisher (bootmaker), F. Beverley (soap- and candle-manufacturer), and A. Kaye (grain merchant). The Commission adjourned at 3.45 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Monday, 25th February, at Wellington.

WELLINGTON. Monday, 25th Febeuaey, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. in the Legislative Council Chamber, Wellington. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauchamp, Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.L.C, Mr. T. W. Leys, Mr. C. M. Luke, Mr. J. A. Millar, M.H.E., Mr. W. S. Eeid, Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G., and Hon. Major Steward, M.H.E. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A telegram was received from the Hon. W. Eolleston, offering a written statement of his views on federation in the event of his inability to appear before the Commission. p Resolved, That the Hon. Mr. Eolleston be informed that the Commission will be pleased to accept a written statement of his views, and will also be pleased for him to attend personally in Auckland if convenient. Mr. James Izett wrote, enclosing a statement of his views in writing, which he asked permission to hand in. The Secretary was instructed to arrange a convenient time for Mr. Izett to attend. Mr. E. E. Vaney (secretary of the Trades and Labour Council) wrote, stating that Messrs. A. H. Cooper (president), A. Collins, and T. Lynch had been appointed to give evidence before the Commission on behalf of the Trades and Labour Council. The Secretary was instructed to arrange for their attendance on Wednesday, 27th instant. Messrs. Cable and Co. wrote, submitting the names of Messrs. D. Eobertson, J. Luke, and W. Crabtree as delegates on behalf of the Engineers' Association. The Secretary was instructed to arrange for their attendance on Wednesday, 27th instant. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : N. Eeid (general merchant and chairman of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce), S. Brown (wood and coal merchant, president of the Industrial Association of Wellington), M. Kennedy (merchant), and T. G. Macarthy (brewer). The Commission adjourned at 1 p.m. until 10 a.m. the next day.

Tuesday, 26th Febeuaey, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauchamp, Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.L.C, Mr. T. W. Leys, Mr. C. M. Luke, Mr. J. A. Millar, M.H.E., Mr. W. S. Eeid, Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G., and Hon. Major Steward, M.H.E. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received, from S. Brown, asking to be allowed to modify the reply given to the last question put to him. Besolved, That the letter be attached to his evidence. A telegram was read from A. H. Bisley, Nelson, asking for his evidence to be taken on Saturday, as it would be impossible for him to be in Wellington earlier. The Chairman intimated that he had replied, asking Mr. Bisley to state his views in writing. A telegram was read from A. Hatrick, Mayor of Wanganui, saying it would be inconvenient for him to attend, and suggesting that the Commission should sit in Wanganui, as a centre o.f various interests. Besolved, That Mr. Hatrick be informed that the Commission would probably take his evidence on returning from Australia. S. Kirkpatrick, Nelson, wrote, saying it was inconvenient for him to attend, but, if necessary, would like to give his evidence on Thursday. The Secretary was instructed to inform Mr. Kirkpatrick that the Commission would take his evidence on Thursday. A letter was read from J. W. Kays, Wellington, asking to be allowed to give evidence. The Chairman stated that he had asked Mr. Kays to attend on Tuesday afternoon. A letter was received from J. Eoss, Wellington, enclosing a written statement of his views on federation, and asking that this should be accepted instead of personal attendance before the Commission, which would be highly inconvenient. Besolved, That the Commission accept Mr. Boss's statement, which was then read by the Secretary.

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