7

D.—4

Kawakawa. Saturday, Lsth April, 1911. The Commission met at the Courthouse at 10 a.m. Present: All the Commissioners. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence : — L 3. William Stewart, fanner and sawmiller, Kawakawa. 14. Henry Clough Blundell, County Clerk and Engineer, Kawakawa, 15. Harry Long, Tanekaha, farmer. The Commission adjourned at 12 noon to Rawene.

Rawene, Monday, 17th April. The Commission met at the Courthouse at 7.30 a.m. Present,: All the Commissioners. The Commissioners resolved to visit Victoria Valley and Kaitaia. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence : — 16. George Thomas Clendon, Chairman, Hokianga County Council. 17. Ernest McLeod, Clerk and Treasurer, and recently Engineer, Hokianga County Council. • It was decided to take evidence next at Kohukohu. The Commission adjourned at 8.30 a.m., and proceeded by launch to Mangamuka, and thence, via the Mangamuka track, by horses and trap to Victoria Valley and Kaitaia, arriving at the latter place at 7 p.m.

Kohukohu, Wednesday, 19th April, 1911. The Commission sat at the Courthouse at 9 a.m., having arrived the previous evening from Kaitaia, via the Takahue-Broadwood Road. Present: All the Commissioners. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence : — 18. George Gardiner Menzies, Engineer, Hokianga County Council. 19. Alfred Cooke Yarborough, timber and gum merchant, Kohukohu. The Commission adjourned at 9.30 a.m., and proceeded by launch to Taheke, and thence by coach to Kaikohe.

Kaikohe, Wednesday, 19th April. 1911. The Commission sat at Dickeson's Hall, at 7.30 p.m. Present : All the Commissioners. •The following witnesses attended and gave evidence : — 20. George Frederick Dickeson, gum-buyer and storekeeper, Kaikohe. 21. Alfred William Edwards, storekeeper, Kaikohe, and member of Hay of Islands County Council. Mr. A. T. Close, of Remuera, Bay of Islands, wrote tendering a statement he intended giving as evidence had he not been prevented from attending by an accident. It was resolved to ask Mr. Close to support his statement by a statutory declaration, and then to consider the matter further. The Commission adjourned at 9.25 p.m.

Kaikohe, Thursday, 20th April. 1911. The Commission held no formal meeting this day. It was decided, on account of the flooded state of the rivers and the inclement weather, to postpone the proposed trip down the Mangakahia Valley, and to proceed to Dargaville by the Taheke-Kaihu Road, and visit the Mangakahia Valley when the weather permitted. Four of the Commissioners drove down the Mangakahia Valley to Tautaru, and inspected the country therein. The Commission proceeded to Taheke, spent the night there, and arrived at Dargaville at 7.45 p.m. on Friday, 21st instant.

Dargaville, Saturday, 22nd April, 1911. The Commission met at the Courthouse at 10 a.m. Present: All the Commissioners. It was resolved to ask the Harbourmaster to give evidence regarding the navigation of the Wairoa River.