I.—lo

VI

Monday, 23rd October, 1911. The Committee met at 10.30 a.m., pursuant to notice. Prese?U: Mr. Davey (Chairman), Mr. Forbes, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Mac Donald. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. Forbes moved as follows : That in the opinion of this Committee it would be undesirable to grant the prayer of the petitioners, for the following reasons : (1) That it would be inimical to the best interests of the Dominion to permit any company to purchase such a large area of Native land as 200,000 acres; (2) that it is inexpedient to permit any private company to construct railways in the Dominion; (8) that in order to open up the large areas of unoccupied land in the Taupo district the Government should purchase all the available Native land there and put in hand the construction of the road and railways necessary to open it and the adjoining areas of Crown land up to settlement, and to give proper Facilities to the existing settlers to develop their holdings. A discussion arose thereupon. The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday, 24th October, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, 24th October, 1911. The Committee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Davey (Chairman), Mr. Forbes, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Myers, Mr. Mac Donald, and Mr. Newman. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The discussion on Mr. Forbes's motion was resumed. On the motion being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 2. —Mr. Davey, Mr. Forbes. Noes, 6.—Mr. Fraser. Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Guthrie, Mr. Mac Donald, Mr. Myers, Mr. Newman. So it passed in the negative. Mr. Fraser then moved as follows : That, in view of the important issues involved in the petition of the Taupo Totara Timber Company, mid more especially having regard to the vagueness of the proposals contained in the said petition in so far as they affect the future disposal and settlement of the 200,000 acres of land which the said company desires to acquire from the Natives, the Committee is of opinion that tin- whole question should be held over for the consideration of Parliament next session. The Committee is further of opinion that in the meantime full inquiry should be made by the Government as to the best means of connecting Lake Taupo by rail with the existing railway system, so as to facilitate the early settlement of the large areas of Crown and Native lands in the Taupo district. On the motion being put, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, 6.—Mr Fraser, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Guthrie. Mr. Mac Donald, Mr. Myers, Mr. Newman. Noes, 2.—Mr. Davey, Mr. Forbes. So it was resolved in the affirmative. Motion passed. Resolved, That the ChairTnan do report the resolution to the House. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Myers, That a vote of thanks be recorded to the Chairman for the able manner in which he has conducted the proceedings of the Committee. Resolved, That the Chairman be empowered to sign these minutes, The Committee then adjourned.