H.—22

10

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Tuesday, 12th January, 1915. The Commission met at 11.30 a.m. at Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington. Present : G. Hunter, Esq., M.P. (Chairman), and T. H. Davey, Esq. The commission was read by the secretary. The Commission decided in regard to the applications of the Geraldine Racing Club, the Marton Jockey Club, the Mastcrton Racing Club, the Rangitikei Racing Club, the Reefton Jockey Club, the Stratford Racing Club, the Taratahi-Carterton Racing Club, the Te Kuiti Racing Club, the Tolaga Bay Jockey Club, the Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club, and the Westland Racing Club that these clubs, being already the holders of a totalizator license, do not come within the scope of the Commission, and the secretary was instructed to notify them accordingly. The Commission decided to visit Waitara at 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, the 14th instant, to consider the application of the Waitara Racing Club; New Plymouth at 11 a.m. on the same date, to consider the application of the North Taranaki Hunt Club; Hawera at 4.15 p.m. the same date, to consider the application of the Waimate Plains Trotting Club; Patea at 10.30 a.m. on Friday, the 15th instant, to consider the application of the Patea Racing Club; Waverley at, 2.30 p.m. the same date, to consider the application of the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club; and Marton at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, the 16th instant, to consider the application of the Rangitikei Hunt Club. The Commission then adjourned.

Thursday, 14th January, 1915, The Commission left New Plymouth at 8.30 a.m. and inspected the course and appointments of the Taranaki Jockey Club in connection with the application of the North Taranaki Hunt Club. Ihe Commission then proceeded to Lepperton Junction and inspected the course and appointments of the Waitara Racing Club, and at 9.30 a.m. met the following deputation from that club, viz.: A. W. Ogle, president; W. F. Jenkins, vice-president; T. Buchanan, chairman of committee; H. Spurdle, secretary; and Messrs. W. Nosworthy, H. hangman, and D. George, committee. The Commission then returned to New Plymouth, and at 10.30 a.m. met the following deputation from the North Taranaki Hunt Club, viz. : E. F. Blundell, president; B. H. Chancy, deputy master; E. L. Humphries, secretary; and Messrs. W. C. Weston, A. L. Humphries, W. Hookhaui, S. Paul, and E. Mason, committee. H. Okey, Esq., M.P., was present and introduced the deputation. The Commission left New Plymouth at 12.50 p.m. and reached Hawera at 4 p.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Egmont Racing Club and the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Hawera, in connection with the application of the Waimate Plains Trotting Club; and at 4.30 p.m. met the following deputation from the latter club, viz. : E. E. Nalder, president; W. O'Callaghan, secretary; J. A. Turton, secretary, Egmont Pacing Club; and Messrs. C. H. Washer and R. Morrissey, committee. The Commission met again at 8 p.m., and decided to visit Pahiatua on Monday, the 18th instant, to consider the applications of the Pahiatua Racing Club and Woodlands Hunt Club; Masterton at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, the 19th, to consider the application of the Wairarapa Hunt Club; and Martinborough at 1.30 p.m. on the same date, to consider the application of the Lower Valley Jockey Club. The Commission then adjourned. •

Friday, 15th January, 1915. The Commission left Hawera at 9.37 a.m. and arrived at Patea at 10.15 a.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Patea Racing Club; and at 10.30 a.m. met the following deputation from the club, viz. : G. V. Pearce, Esq., M.P., president; R. W. Hamerton, secretary; and Messrs. A. Pearce, B. T. Bennett, J, Patterson, and J. R. Patterson, committee.' The Commission then left for Waverley, and at 1.30 p.m. met the following deputation from the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club, viz. : O. Symes, master; A. R. Macdonald, secretary; W Macfarlane, secretary, Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club; and Messrs. A. Mitchell,' ,T. C. Patterson, J. Higgie, R. Brewer, R. Morrissey, C. H. Washer, and — Combs, committee. The Commission then left for Wanganui.