A.—4

XXXI

J. Izett wrote, requesting that an additional paragraph might be included in his evidence. It was decided to append the last sentence —namely, "It is in the character of an old Australian that I desire to appear before your Commission and give evidence now " — if that would be satisfactory to Mr. Izett. W. Gray (Secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department) attended and gave evidence. A letter was read from J. Duncan (of Wellington), embodying his views on federation, and it was decided to accept the same as evidence. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : P. G. Freeth (journalist), A. A. Corrigan (manager, D.1.C., Wellington), Hon. T. W. Hislop (barrister and solicitor), M. G. Heeles (manager, Wellington Woollen-factory), S. Kirkpatrick (of Nelson, jam-manufacturer), A. H. Cooper (bootmaker, and president of the Trades and Labour Council), J. T. Dalrymple (of Bangitikei, farmer), and H. Fielder (cabinetmaker). The Commission adjourned at 3.30 p.m. until 10 a.m. on Monday, 4th March, at Auckland.

AUCKLAND. Monday, 4th March, 1901. The Commission met at 10.30 a.m. in the Municipal Council Chamber, Auckland. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauehamp, 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, and Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were received from J. Harker, P. E. Cheal, and Eev. G. Mac Murray, expressing their desire to give evidence, and the Secretary was instructed to issue subpoenas accordingly. The Hon. W. Eolleston (of Bangitata) attended, formally handed in a statement embodying his views, and also gave evidence. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : Dr T E. Laishley (barrister and solicitor), P. Virtue (manager, Northern Boiler Milling Company), J. Park (Onehunga Woollen-mills), A. C. Whitney (manager, Colonial Ammunition Company), Eev. J. C. Andrew (of Te Nui, landowner), W. McLaughlin (farmer), T. Hadfield (bootmaker), S. Vaile (land agent), M. A. Clark (warehouseman), A. Sanford (farmer and fish merchant, representative Tailoresses' Union), and T. Peacock (optician). G. Fraser and G. Tarbutt were excused from attendance on account of illness, and W. Philson, L. Nathan, and G. C. Garlick on account of absence from Auckland. The Commission adjourned at 5.40 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day.

Tuesday, sth March, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present : Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauehamp, 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, and Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from H. Jones, of Birkenhead, offering to give evidence in reference to the fruit trade if his expenses were allowed. It was resolved to inform Mr. Jones that if he attended his evidence would be heard, but that the Commission had already arranged for several representatives of the fruit trade to give evidence. A letter was received from S. Vaile, asking permission to add to his evidence in writing, as he had, through haste, omitted some matters of importance. It was resolved that Mr. Vaile be informed that the Commission would allow him to attend again and give further evidence, but that he could not be permitted to materially alter the evidence already given. A letter was received from J. Johnson on the subject of federation, which was read. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : A. B. Donald (ship-owner and island trader), T. T. Masefield (engineer and ironfounder), W. Spragg (general manager, Dairy Association), A. Sturges (fruit-grower), Eev. G. Macmurray (vicar of St. Mary's, Auckland), J. M. Mennie (biscuit- and jam-manufacturer), J. Wiseman (manufacturer and importer), G. Low (fruitgrower), H. Dearsley (president, Bootmakers' Association), and P. E. Cheal (mining engineer and surveyor). The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day.

Wednesday, 6th March, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauehamp, 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, and Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed,