C—l 2

LXXII

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Wellington, Wednesday, 26th February, 1913. The first meeting of the Forestry Commission was held at the Legislative Council at 3 o'clock p.m. Present: Henry Douglas Morpeth Haszard, F.R.G.S., Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor of the Westland Land District; Thomas William Adams, farmer, of Greendale. Canterbury; Samuel Isaac Clarke, builder, Ponsouby, Auckland; Leonard Cockayne, F.li.S., F.L.S., Ph.D., of Christchurch; Frank Yates Lethbridge, farmer, Makino Road West, Feilding; and Charles Primrose Murdoch, woodware manufacturer, Auckland. The Secretary read the Royal Commission. The Prime Minister attended and addressed the Commissioners on the subject-matter of the Commission. On the motion of the Chairman, a vote of thanks was tended the Prime Minister for his address. The Chairman then reviewed the questions outlined in the Commission, and Mr. Clarke also addressed the Commission on the subject generally. It was resolved that the Commission visit the South Island first, leaving Wellington tinnight of Friday, the 28th, and proceeding to Invercargill. ft was also resolved that only in exceptional cases should oral evidence be taken, and thai any association or person desiring to tender evidence should be requested to put it in writing, when it would receive the careful consideration of the Commission; all such communications to be sent to the Commission, care of the District Survey Office in each centre. It was further resolved that the official reporter be authorized to give a resume to the Press Association of the proceedings of the Commission for publication. The Commis.sion adjournjd at 4.45 p.m.

Wellington, Thursday, 27th February, 1913. The Commission met at 10 a.m., at the Legislative Council Committee room, at 2 o'clock. All the members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were lead and confirmed. An interesting letter was read from Mr. A. Bathgate, of Dunedin, concerning afforestation. A letter was read from Messrs. Humphreys Bros., with regard to bush being milled before Crown land is opened for settlement. A letter from the Under-Secretary for Crown Lands was read, with reference to the abandonment of the Dumgree Plantation, and the Nurseryman's report thereon. The Commission were engaged till the evening in further fixing the itinerary. The Commission met again at 7.30 p.m.. ami continued and finished the itinerary scheme. The Commission adjourned at 9.30 p.m.

Wellington, Fbiday, 28th February, 1913. The Commission met again at th<j Legislative Council, at 10.30 a.m., and finally approved the itinerary as drawn up. All the members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Commission adjourned at 1 p.m.

Invercargill, Monday, 3rd March, 1913. The Commission met at the Government Buildings, Invercargill, at 10 a.m. Present: All the members of the Commission. The Commission adjourned to visit the powellizing works for the treatment of railway-sleepers at Kew, and were shown over the works, and had the process explained to them by the manager. The Commission met again at 2 p.m. William Mosley Andrews and John Walker, representing the Southland Builders' Association, attended and gave evidence.