A.—4

ADELAIDE. Tuesday, 9th Apeil, 1901. The Commission met at 3 p.m., at the Parliament House, Adelaide. 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. A letter was received from E. Caldwell, M.P., offering to give evidence, which it was decided to take on Thursday next. A letter was received from Dr. Van de Velde, of Melbourne, asking to be allowed to give his views on the establishment of the beetroot-sugar industry in New Zealand on the return of the Commission to Melbourne. The Secretary was instructed to ask Dr. Van de Velde to put his views in writing. The Hon. F. Holder, M.L.A. (Premier of South Australia), attended and gave evidence. The Commission, having arranged to visit the Gawler district next day, for the purpose of inspecting iron manufactories and vineyards, adjourned until Thursday morning at 10 a.m.

GAWLEE. On Wednesday, 10th April, the Commission met at Gawler at 10 a.m. The Commission inspected the Chateau Tanunda wineries, and those of Messrs. Seppelsfelt. The Commission also inspected the foundries of Messrs. J. Martin and Co. and Mr. A. May, and the latter gentleman gave evidence. The Commission adjourned at 4 o'clock.

ADELAIDE. Thursday, 11th Apeil, 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., Captain Eussell, M.H.E., and Hon. Major Steward, M.H.E. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received stating that Mr. E. H. Lascelles, of Geelong, was unable to attend during the Melbourne sittings, but that he would be able to do so on the return of the Commission. It was decided that Mr. John Eoberts should write to Mr. Lascelles, stating what information was desired, and asking him to supply it in writing. A telegram was despatched to the Eight Hon. Sir John Forrest, Melbourne, asking if he would grant an interview at 11.30 a.m. next Saturday at Menzies's Hotel. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : F. S. Wallis (secretary to the Trades and Labour Council, Adelaide), J. Duncan (of Duncan and Frazer, carriage-builders), H. J. Holden (of Holden and Frost, saddlery-manufacturers), J. F. Martin (chairman of directors of J. Martin and Co., Gawler), W. Burford (president of the Chamber of Manufactures), W. Lowrie (professor of agriculture, and head of the Department of Agriculture for South Australia), H. Davis (manager of G. and E. Wills and Co., boot-manufacturers), E. Caldwell, M.P., A. A. Simpson (manager of Simpson and Son, hardware-manufacturers), and J. M. Eeid (of J. Eeid and Sons, tanners). The Commission adjourned at 4.45 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day.

Feiday, 12th Apeil, 1901. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauchamp, Mr. T. W. Leys, Mr. C. M. Luke, 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. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence: E. W. Skervington (manager of the Produce and Export Department of South Australia) and Eev. J. Berry (minister of the Methodist Church). The Commission adjourned at 11 a.m. until next day at 11.30 a.m. at Menzies's Hotel, Melbourne.

MELBOUENE. Saturday, 13th April, 1901. The Commission met at 11.30 a.m. at Menzies's Hotel, Melbourne. Present : Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Mr. H. Beauchamp, Mr. T. W. Leys, Mr. W. S. Eeid, Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G., Captain Eussell, M.H.E., and Hon. Major Steward, M.H.E. The Commission, having met for the purpose of taking the evidence of the Eight Hon. Sir J. Forrest, G.C.M.G., and the right hon. gentleman being otherwise engaged, adjourned at 12 noon until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 16th April, at Sydney.

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