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H.—24

Votes of Thanks. Moved by Mr. Marnier, and seconded by Mr. Leyland, That a hearty vote of thanks be tendered to those witnesses who have given evidence in Auckland, many of whom have come long distances to do so. —Carried. Mr. T. H. White thanked the Commission on behalf of the witnesses. Moved by Mr. Field, and carried, That a hearty vote of thanks be extended to those gentlemen, both in the Kaipara and in Auckland, who assisted to entertain the Commission during its stay in those localities. The Commission then went into Committee. It was decided to proceed to Rotorua on Friday, the 14th May, visit the ltotorua Nursery, and Waiotapu, Whakarewarewa, and Waipa Plantations, after which the Commission will go to Wellington and commence taking evidence on Thursday, the 20th May, at 2 p.m. The Commission then adjourned.

On Friday, the 14th May, the Commission proceeded at 10 a.m. by train from Auckland to Rotorua, arriving at 5.50 p.m. On Saturday, the 15th May, the Commission drove to Whakarewarewa and inspected the State nursery and plantation there. They then proceeded to the W T aipa Prison Camp, and afterwards visited the new prison camp at Rotokakahi and the site of the new plantation. On Monday, the 17th May, the Commission drove from Rotorua to Waiotapu and inspected the prison camp and large plantation of 3,000 acres, chiefly planted by prison-labour. They then continued their journey to Lake Taupo, arriving at 5.45 p.m. On Tuesday, the 18th May, the Commission crossed Lake Taupo to Tokaanu in a steamer, and drove by coach from Tokaanu to Waiouru, arriving at 6.10 p.m. On Wednesday, the 19th May, the Commission took the train from Waiouru to Wellington, arriving at 4.25 p.m.

Wellington, Thursday, 20th May, 1909. On Thursday, the 20th May, the Commission visited some of the local mills and timber-yards in the morning, inspecting the premises of the Stewart Timber Company, the Prouse Lumber Company, and Messrs. C. and A. Odlin (Limited}. The twenty-fourth meeting of the Commission was held in the Museum Buildings, Wellington, oii Thursday, the 20th May, 1909, at 2 p.m. Present: The Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Chairman) and all the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Affidavit. It was resolved to receive as evidence an affidavit dated the 15th May, 1909, by Henry Brown, of Inglewood, sawmiller, correcting a statement made by him at Taihape when undergoing examination. Evidence. Mr. Clem. Knight, representative of Hawke's Bay timber-workers, Dannevirke, examined from 2.25 p.m. to 4.10 p.m. Mr. Henry Smith, of Eketahuna, timber-worker, 4.15 to 5.30 p.m. The Commission then adjourned.

Wellington, Friday, 21st May, 1909. The twenty-fifth meeting of the Commission was held in the Museum Building, Wellington, on Friday, the 21st May, 1909, at 9.30 a.m. Present: The Hon. T. Y. Duncan (Chairman) and all the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Evidence. Mr. Andrew Quinlan, sawmiller, Nireaha, examined from 9.45 a.m. to 12.40 p.m. Mr. James Malcolm, Horowhenua County Engineer, Levin, 12.40 p.m. to 1 p.m. The Commission adjourned from 1 to 2 p.m. Mr. James Malcolm (examination continued), from 2.5 to 2.20 p.m. Mr. John Anderson, sawmiller, Masterton, 2.20 p.m. to 2.50 p.m. Mr. W. H. Bennett, builder and contractor, chairman of the New Zealand Federated Builders, Wellington, 2.50 p.m. to 4.55 p.m. Mr. W. L. Thompson, builder, Wellington, 4.55 p.m. to 5.50 p.m. Correspondence. Letter, dated the 14th May, 1909, from the Collector of Customs, Auckland, explaining details of a return furnished by him. —Received. The Commission then adjourned.