C—l 2.

LXXVIII

G. C. B. Jordan, Under-Secretary for Justice. Dr. Frank Hay, Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals. James Burnett, Chief Engineer, Government Railways. W. H. Field, solicitor. C. A. Cotton, lecturer on geology at Victoria College. L. 0. Tripp, president of the Wellington Acclimatization Society. G. P. Newton, Assistant Under-Secretary, Internal Affairs. The Commission then considered and accepted various parts of the draft report, and adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

Wellington, Wednesday, 21st Mat, 1913. The Commission met at 10 a.m. All the members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The subcommittees that had been appointed to pay special visits to certain localities presented their reports. Messrs. Lethbridge, Clarke, and Murdoch were appointed a subcommittee to visit the sanddune areas on the west coast, near the Rangitikei River; and also to proceed to Wanganui, to have a further interview with the local residents as to forest-preservation on -the banks of the Wanganui River. The Commission adjourned at 5.30 p.m.

Wellington, Tuesday, 27th May, 1913. The Commission met at 2.30 p.m., all the members being present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The subcommittee reported on its visit to Wanganui and the sand-dunes on the west coast. The Commission further considered its report, and adjourned at 5 p.m.

Wellington, Friday, 30th May, 1913. The Commission met at 9 o'clock, all the members being present. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. It was resolved, in regard to the request made at Greendale by a deputation of settlers of Oxford, Canterbury, That certain extensions of the present reserves in that district should be made; that the matter was one that could be best dealt with by the Canterbury Land Board. As regards scenery reserves, it was resolved as follows : Whereas section 6 of the Scenery Preservation Amendment Act, 1910, prohibits the use of firearms in a scenic reserve, and as it may be expedient that firearms should be used to exterminate noxious animals that destroy the vegetation therein, it is desirable that some amendment of the Act should be made by which the Minister in charge of scenic reserves could grant under proper safeguards a permit for the destruction of such noxious animals. On the motion of Mr. Adams, seconded by Mr. Clarke, it was resolved, That Dr. Cockayne should accompany the Chairman in presenting the report to the Prime Minister for transmission to His Excellency the Governor. It was resolved, That the Chairman be authorized to sign the minutes of the last meeting. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Murdoch, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to all State officials and private persons who had so willingly afforded their assistance during the inquiry of the Commission. On the motion of Mr. Lethbridge, seconded by Mr. Murdoch, a very cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman for his able and zealous conduct of the business of the Commission. On the motion of Mr. Lethbridge, seconded by Mr. Adams, a very cordial vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Cockayne for so readily placing his literary abilities and technical knowledge at the disposal of the Commission, and for the untiring energy he had devoted to the work. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Lethbridge, a vote of thanks was passed to the Minister in charge of the buildings for his kindness in allowing the Commission the use of the rooms. It was resolved, That a cordial vote of thanks be passed to the Secretary, Mr. Phillips Turner, for his zealous and able conduct of his heavy duties. It was resolved, That a cordial vote of thanks be passed to Mr. W. H. Russell for his ability in the conduct of his duties as official reporter. The Commission finished its final sitting at 12 noon.