D.—4

6

MINUTES OF PBOCEEDING-S.

Auckland. Monday. 10th April. 1911. The Commission held its first meeting at the Municipal Chambers, Auckland, cm Monday, the 10th April, 1911, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Vernon Herbert Reed, of Kawakawa, M.P.. solicitor (in the chair); Louis Philip Becroft, of Port Albert, J.P., farmer; John Coom, of Remuera, Auckland, civil engineer; William Evans, of Timaru, J. l'., dour-miller; Thomas Rimavnc. of Wellington, General Manager of New Zealand Railways ; John Stallworthy, of Aratapu, M.P.. newspaper-proprietor : Thomas Herbert Steadman, of Whangarei, solicitor. Mr. John Alexander Wilson, District Engineer. Auckland, of the Public Works Department, was also present. The Secretary read the Commission. It was resolved that the meetings of the Commission In , open to the public and the Press, excepting when the Commission was deliberating. It was resolved that the evidence be taken on oath. The Chairman brought before the Commission a proposed itinerary as far as Dargaville, which was discussed and agreed to. It was resolved that all voluntary evidence in connection with the inquiry be accepted. The Commission resolved to take evidence at Whangarei on the 11th and 12th April, and the Secretary was instructed to advertise the meetings accordingly. The Commission adjourned at 11.10 a.m.. to meet at Whangarei.

Whangarei, Tuesday, 11th April, 1911. The Commission met at the Courthouse. Whangarei, at 11 a.m. All the Commissioners were present. The minutes of the previous meeting wen , read and confirmed. The Commission resolved that the hours of meeting at Whangarei should be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. It was resolved that the Crown Lands Department should lie asked to allow Ranger Shannon to accompany the Commission on its tour. The Secretary was instructed to ask the chairman of the Kaipara Railway League, Dargaville. what places the league desired the Commission to visit. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence on oath : — 1. William Andrew Carruth. solicitor. Whangarei. 2. John David McKenzie, member of the Whangarei Harbour Board. 3. James Neil McCarroll, Whangarei. ■t. James Miller Killen. barrister and solicitor. Whangarei. 5. James Harrison, storekeeper, Whangarei. 6. Donald William Jack, draper, Whangarei.

Whangarei, Wednesday, 12th April, 1911. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: All the Commissioners. The minutes of the previous meeting were read a>nd confirmed. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence : — 7. George Coppin Marshall, storekeeper. Whangarei. 8. Alexander Gordon MacKenzie, farmer, Otonga. 9. Charles Ernest Randolph Mackesy. hind agent. Whangarei. 10. David Miller, farmer and flax-miller, Mangapai. 11. Edmund Campbell Purdie, school-teacher, Whangarei. secretary. North Auckland Railway League. 12. Patrick Joseph Mulhern, farmer, of Mangakahia, but residing at Whangarei. It was decided to take evidence next at Kawakawa, on Saturday, 15th April. The Commission adjourned at 12.30 p.m., and the Commissioners then visited the district in the vicinity of Tikurangi. following up the Otaika Valley. They viewed the country from the Tikurangi Trig. Station. The Commission proceeded to Kawakawa on Thursday, 13th April, and on to Russell by the evening train the same day, and spent Friday, 14th in inspect ing the harbour.