A.—4.

XXXVIII

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following gentlemen attended and gave evidence : Captain A. W. Pearce (editor of the Pastoralists' Review), P. McLean (agricultural expert), the Hon. A. S. Cowley, the Hon. A. Rutledge (Acting-Premier), P. Kenna (editor of the Worker), and R. W. Scholefield (of Toowoomba). The Commission adjourned at 5.50 p.m. until 10 a.m. next day.

Wednesday, 24th 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.R., Mr. W. S. Eeid, 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 : Eight Hon. Sir H. Nelson (President of the Legislative Council), A. W. White (grazier), T. Glassey (Senator), A. Dawson (Senator and ex-Premier), and Colonel Finn (Commandant of the Queensland forces). The Commission adjourned at 3.30 p.m. to the Metropole, Sydney, on Friday next, at 2.30 p.m., if the Et. Hon. G. H. Eeid be available; if not, until Wednesday, the Bth ultimo, at 2.30 p.m., at the Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington.

WELLINGTON. Wednesday, Bth May, 1901. The Commission met at 2.30 p.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Pitt, M.L.C. (in the chair), Hon. C. C. Bowen, M.L.C, Mr. C. M. Luke, Mr. W. S. Eeid, Mr. J. Eoberts, C.M.G., and Captain Eussell, M.H.E. A letter was received from W. T. Glasgow, forwarding returns of estimated loss of revenue in New Zealand, which it was decided to print with Mr. Glasgow's evidence. Mr. Glasgow also brought under the notice of the Commission the claims of certain officers of his department to bonuses for work done for the Commission. It was decided to give the matter consideration before the close of the Commission. A letter was received from J. Kays, Wellington, forwarding further information, and asking that it should be included in his evidence. It was decided to thank Mr. Kays, and to inform him that, as his evidence was already printed, the additional matter could not be inserted. Letters were received from J. McConchie and J. S. Myers, of Marshland, Christchurch, concerning a petition alleged to have been forwarded from that district to the Commission in favour of federation. The Secretary was instructed to inform the writers that no such petition had reached the Commission. A letter was received from the secretary of the Otago Trades and Labour Council, stating that at a recent meeting a motion was passed, with only one dissentient, asking the electors to vote against federation. The Secretary was instructed to send a reply thanking the writer for the information. A letter was received from the secretary of the Otago Knights of Labour, enclosing copy of resolutions against federation recently carried unanimously by their body. Decided to acknowledge and print with proceedings. The Chairman read to the meeting a draft report. It was decided to print the same, and resubmit to an early meeting of the Commission for further discussion. The Commission adjourned at 4.45 p.m. until next day at 2.30 p.m.

Thursday, 9th May, 1901. The Commission met at 2.30 p.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 two previous meetings were read and confirmed. A letter was received from the secretary of the Workers' Political Committee, Trades Hall, Dunedin, stating that a resolution against federation had been carried unanimously by that body. It was decided to print the letter. A request from Dr. Laishley, of Auckland, asking for witnesses' fees for giving evidence, was considered, and the Secretary was instructed to inform him that such fees were not paid to witnesses who resided in the town where they gave evidence. The Chairman informed the Commission that the draft report was in the hands of the printer, and it was expected that it would be ready for the Commission by Saturday. A lengthy discussion took place as to the statistics which should be published with the report, and the Secretary was instructed to arrange the matter selected for printing as quickly as possible. The Commission' adjourned at 3.45 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Saturday.