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V

Thursday, 21st September, 1911. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Davey (Chairman), Mr. Forbes, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Mao Donald, Mr. Mander, Mr. Myers, and Mr. Newman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, That Press representatives be admitted to the proceedings. Petition No. 185 (Taupo Totara Timber Company, Limited) and Petition No. 211 (A. S. Graham and thirty-five others), praying that the Company be allowed to purchase Native land at Taupo, and to extend their tramway to Lake Taupo, were read by the clerk. Mr. F. G. Dalziell, barrister and solicitor, Wellington, attended and gave evidence (witness No. 1), and put in Exhibits No. 1 (report by Mr. John Coom) and No. 2 (Order in Council). Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the Committee do now adjourn, to meet on Thursday next, 28th September, at 10.30 a.m. The Committee adjourned accordingly.

Thursday, 28th September, 1911. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Davey (Chairman), Mr. Forbes, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Mac Donald, Mr. Myers, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Reed. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On the motion of Mr. Fraser, seconded by Mr. Guthrie, it was unanimously decided that the permission of the Hon. the Speaker be asked by the Chairman to have the evidence printed. Mr. J. R. Raw, President. Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, attended and gave evidence (witness No. 2). Mr. J. X. McLean. Rotorua, also attended and gave evidence (witness No. 3). Resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, That the Committee do now adjourn, to meet on Friday, 29th September, and further also on Thursday, sth October. The Committee adjourned accordingly.

Friday, 29th Septkmbei), 1911. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m. Present: Mr. Davey (Chairman), Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Myers, Mr. Mac Donald, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Reed. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman read and put in a telegram received by him from the chairman of a meeting of Putaruru residents (Exhibit No. 3). Mr. Mac Donald read and put in a telegram received by him from the chairman of the Taupo District Railway League (Exhibit No. 4). Mr. E. E. Vaile, Waiotapu, attended and gave evidence (witness No. 4). Mr. \V. L. Luxford, Hamilton, also attended and gave evidence (witness No. 5). On the motion of Mr. MaeDonald, seconded by Mr. Greenslade, it was resolved that Messrs. Kensington, Clifton. Aston, and Cockayne be summoned to attend the next meeting. The Committee then adjourned until Thursday. sth October, at 10.30 a.m., as previously resolved.

Thursday, 12th October, 1911. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Davey (Chairman), Mr. Forbes, Mr. Kruser. Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Myers, Mr. Mac Donald, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Reed. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. W. C. Kensington (Under-Secretary for Lands) attended and gave evidence (witness No. 6), and put in map (Exhibit No. 5), and poster (Exhibit No. 6). Mr. Bernard C. Aston (Agricultural Chemist) attended and gave evidence (witness No. 7). Resolved, That the Committee do now adjourn until the following day (Friday, 13th October), at 10.30 a.m., when Mr. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) and Mr. Clifton (Agricultural Department) would be called. The Committee adjourned accordingly.

Friday, 13th October, 1911. The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10.30 a.m. Present: Mr. Davey (Chairman), Mr. Forbes, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Myers, Mr. Mac Donald, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Reed. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. H. .T. H. Blow (Under-Secretary for Public Works) attended and gave evidence (witness Mr. Edmund Clifton (Agricultural Department) attended and gave evidence (witness No. 9). Mr! W. D. S. Mac Donald. M.P., also gave evidence (witness No. 10). Mr Dalziell then made a further statement. Resolved that, in view of the urgent necessity to report on this petition this session, the printing should be'done by a private firm if the Government Printing Office were unable to do it immediately. The Committee then adjourned sine die.

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