I.—g

IV

making'further suggestions : Ordered to be attached to his evidence in chief. From W. Jones, secretary, Wellington Branch, Federated Seamen's Union of New Zealand, asking that Mr. A. Kenny be allowed to give evidence :It was resolved to hear Mr. Kenny at this meeting. From J. J. Craig, Auckland, regretting that he would not be able to attend personally and give evidence, and stating that he had asked Mr. Malcolm Niccol to represent him : It was resolved to hear Mr. Niccol on Friday, the 15th instant, if possible. From Henry Hastwell, Wellington, certificated marine engineer, asking to be allowed to give evidence : It was resolved to hear Mr. Hastwell at this meeting. A petition was received from the House of Bepresentatives, from J. J. Craig and seven others, all residents of Auckland, re manning scale and State bounties: Ordered to be held over till evidence is being considered. Captain John Thomas Bolls, of the s.s. " Upolu," representing the Shipmasters' Association, Wellington ; Captain Aylmer Kenny, shipmaster, Picton; and Henry Hastwell, certificated marine engineer, Wellington, then gave evidence on the Bill. It was reported that Mr. James Mills would not be able to be present on the 15th instant as arranged, and it was agreed to take his evidence on the 21st instant if possible. The Committee then adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-morrow. .

Friday, 15th August, 1902. Present: Mr. Fowlds (Chairman), Mr. E. G. Allen, Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Mr. Hutcheson, Mr. Laurenson, Mr. Millar, Mr. B. Thompson, and Mr. A. D. Willis. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Allport, of the Marine Department, and a shorthand-writer were present. Captain Walter Manning, s.s. " Botomahana," on behalf of the Shipmasters' Association, and Malcolm Niccol, late shipowner, Auckland, representing J. J. Craig and others, of Auckland, gave evidence. The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday, the 19th instant, at 10.30 a.m.

Tuesday, 19th August, 1902. Present: Mr. Fowlds (Chairman), Mr. E. G. Allen, Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Mr Huicheson, Mr. Laurenson, Mr. Millar, and Mr. B. Thompson. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Allport, of the Marine Department, and a shorthand-writer were present. Mr. W. J. M. Tait continued his evidence, and Messrs. Herbert George Paul, chief engineer, s.s. "Waiwera" ; James Stewart, Helensville, representing Northern Union Steamship Company and Auckland Shipowners' Association; John Kenneth Kneen, secretary, Auckland Branch Federated Seamen's Union, gave evidence. Letters were received from H. E. Paul asking to be allowed to give evidence, and from James Stewart asking the Committee to bear Captain Stevenson of the s.s. " Wellington." Mr. Paul gave evidence as above, and it was resolved to hear Captain Stevenson on Thursday. It was agreed to take the evidence of the Chief Inspector of Machinery and the Superintendent of Mercantile Marine on Wednesday, the 20th instant, and to allow Mr. Hood, chief engineer of the s.s. " Petone," and Mr. A. B. Hislop, secretary of the Wellington Branch of the Marine Engineers' Association, to give evidence on the same day if they so desired. . It was resolved to obtain the views of the Superintendents of Mercantile Marine at Auckland, Lyttelton, and Dunedin on the Bill. The Committee then adjourned till Wednesday, the 20th instant, at 10.30 a.m.

Wednesday, 20th August, 1902. Present: Mr. Fowlds (Chairman), Mr. E. G. Allen, Hon. Mr. Hall-Jones, Mr. Hutcheson, and Mr. Laurenson. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Allport, of the Marine Department, and a shorthand-writer were present. Mr Bobert Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery for the Colony, and Captain George Gordon Smith, Superintendent of Mercantile Marine, Wellington, were examined. A telegram from Mr. George Niccol, Auckland, was read, suggesting that Captain Beid, Ship-ping-master, at Auckland, should be called to give evidence as to the manning scale proposed in the Bill. It was resolved that Captain Beid be sent for. A letter was also received from Mr. W. T. Young, of the Seamen's Union, Wellington, stating that Mr. Belcher, secretary, Seamen's Union, Dunedin, would arrive in Wellington on Friday, and suggesting that he be the last witness examined on the Bill. A reply was ordered to be sent stating that Mr. Belcher's evidence would be taken on Friday, but that the Committee could not give any undertaking that he should be the last witness called.

Thursday, 21st August, 1902. Present : Mr. Fowlds (Chairman), Mr. E. G. Allen, Hon. Mr, Hall-Jones, Mr. Hutcheson, Mr. Laurenson, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. B. Thompson, and Mr. Willis. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Allport, of the Marine Department, and a shorthand-writer were present.