LXXV

C.-12

Nelson, Thursday, 27th March, 1913. The Commission met at the Municipal Chamber at 10 a.m. All the members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. A letter was received from the Greymouth Wharf Labourers' Industrial Union of Workers regarding the prohibition of the export of white-pine. The following witnesses attended and gave evidence: — John Pollock, chairman, Acclimatization Society. F. A. Thompson, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Nelson. James S. Evans, Stipendiary Magistrate and Warden. Frederick G. Gibbs, M.A. . . K. E. Harris, Crown Lands .Ranger. The Commission adjourned at 1 p.m.

Blenheim, Saturday, 29th March, 1913. The Commission met at the Crown Lands Office at 10 a.m., having the previous day inspected the Dumgree Plantation. All the members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following witnesses attended, and gave evidence : — W. H. Skinner, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Marlborough. H. F. Hursthouse, Crown Lands Ranger. William Masefield. John Fawcett. The Commission adjourned at 11.15 a.m.

Wellington, Monday, 31st March, 1913. The Commission met at the Government Buildings at 10 a.m. Present: All the Commissioners. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letters were received from Messrs. G. M. Thomson, M.P., B. Chambers, the South Canterbury Builders' Association, the Mackenzie County Council, Ashburton County Council, and James Collins (Crown Lands Ranger, Invercargill), regarding afforestation matters. The itinerary for the North Island was decided on. The Commission adjourned at 5 p.m.

Napier, Thursday, 3rd April, 1913 The Commission met at the Lands Office at 10 a.m. Present: All the members. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. Letters were received from Messrs. A. E. Hackle and Camille Malfroy regarding forestry questions. The following witnesses were then examined : — Robert Thomas Sadd, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hawke's Bay. Henry Martin Smith, Crown Lands Ranger. John Griffin, president, Napier Builders' Union. Mr. Ward, member of Napier Builders' Union. The Commission adjourned at 12.45 p.m.

Auckland, Saturday, 12th April, 1913. The Commission met at the Lands Office at 11 o'clock. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman reported that a subcommittee had, on the 4th April, visited the forest reserve at Lake Waikaremoana; that on the 7th April the full Commission had inspected the State nurseries and plantations at Waiotapu and Waipa; and that on the Bth, April an inspection was made of the State nurseries at Whakarewarewa. It was resolved to apply to the Government for a month's extension of the Commission.

xi—C. 12.