H.—22

12

The Commission then went into committee, and decided to visit Ashhurst on Monday, the 25th January, at 1.30 p.m., to consider the application of the Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club; Dannevirke at 4 p.m. the same day, to consider the application of the Dannevirke Hunt Club; Waipawa at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesday, the 26th January, to consider the application of the Waipawa County Racing Club; Hastings at 2.30 p.m. the same day, to consider the applications of the Hawke's Bay Hunt and Trotting Clubs; Petane at 4 p.m. the same day, to consider the application of the Petane Racing Club; Gisborne on Wednesday, the 27th January, to consider the applications of the Poverty Bay Hunt and Trotting Clubs; and Te Karaka on Thursday, the 28th January, to consider, the application of the Te Karaka Racing Club. The Commission then adjourned.

Monday, 25tu January, 1915. The Commission left Wellington at !).8 a.m. and arrived at Ashhurst at 1.30 p.m., and at once inspected the course and appointments of the Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club; and at 1.45 p.m. met the following deputation from the club, viz.: F. J. Roberts, president; A. W. Trass, secretary; J. 11. Paton, treasurer; and Messrs. 1). Macarteney, C. Neilson, J. Newton, G. Hunt, A. G. Russell, and l\ Hamlin, stewards. D. 11. Guthrie, Esq., M.P., was present ami introduced the deputation. The Commission then left for Dannevirke, and on arrival inspected (he course and appointments of the Dannevirke Racing Club in connection with the application of the Dannevirke Hunt Club; and at I p.m. met the following deputation from the latter club, viz.: W. G. Hunter, master; I>. \l. Blakiston, vice-president; R. Takle, vice-president; I!. V. Robertshaw, secretary; W. H. Lavelle, treasurer; and Messrs. W. 11. Hartgill and R. Roake, committee. The Commission then visited the kennels of the club. The Commission left Dannevirke at 7.7 p.m. and arrived at Waipukurau at 9.40 p.m.

Tuesday, 26th January, 1915. The Commission left Waipukurau at 9 a.m. and arrived at Waipawa at 9.30 a.m., and at once met the following deputation from the Waipawa County Racing Club, viz. : I. Butler, president; J. Dick, secretary; A. E. .lull, treasurer; and Messrs. W. H. Rathbone, 11. M. Rathbone, and T. W. Wells, committee. The Commission then inspected the course and appointments of the club at Homewood. The Commission left Waipawa at 11.47 a.m. and arrived at Hastings at 1.12 p.in!, and at 2 p.m. inspected the course and appointments of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club in connection with the applications of the Hawke's Bay Trotting and Hunt Clubs. At 2.30 p.m. the Commission met the following deputation from the Hawke's Bay Hunt Club, viz. : J. L. Sunderland, and W. J. Stratton, secretary. At 3 p.m. the Commission met the following deputation from the Hawke's Bay Trotting Club, viz. : Messrs. A. L. D. Eraser, J. T. Thomas, F. A. Piper, J. F. llanley, E. J. W. Hallett, N. Thompson, and W. Richmond. The Commission then left for .Petane, and on arrival at 4.30 p.m. inspected the course and appointments of the Petane Racing Club, and met the following deputation, from the club, viz. : W. S. Nightingale, secretary; and Messrs. J. Brownlie, O. Standing, J. Mcllardy, and A. P. Foster, committee. The Commission then proceeded to Napier, and at 8 p.m. left the latter port by steamer for Gisborne.

Wednesday, 27th January, 1915. The Commission arrived at Gisborne, and at 10 a.m. met the following deputation from the Poverty Bay Trotting Club, viz.: Dr. Scott,-president; P. Andrews, secretary; and Messrs. R. Ficken, A. Zachariah, G. W. Primrose, C. Parker, A. P. Webb. (I. Jones, R. Campbell, and T. C. Dorm, committee. W. 1). S. Mac Donald, Esq., M.P. (In the absence of the Hon. 'Sir .1. "Carroll, M.P.), was present and introduced the deputation. At 10.30 a.m. the Commission met the following deputation from the Poverty Bay Hunt Club, viz.: H. de Latour, master; 11. R. Dodd. secretary; and It. Sherratt. W. I). S. Mac Donald, Esq., M.P., was present and introduced the deputation. The Commission then inspected the course and appointments of the Poverty Bay Jockey Club in connection with the applications of the above-mentioned clubs. On returning to Gisborne the Commission went, into committee and decided, in order to avoid detention at Gisborne until Saturday, 30th instant, waiting for steamer to Auckland, to proceed through to Opotiki by road on Thursday, the 28th January, to consider the application of the Opotiki Jockey Club for a totalizator license; and the secretary was instructed to arrange accordingly. At 2.30 p.m. the Commission met the following deputation from the Te Karaka Racing Club, viz. : W. D. S. Mac Donald, M.P., president; A. M. Lewis, vice-president; H. E. Dodd, secretary; and D. J. Barry. The Commission then adjourned.