D.—4

8

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Thuksday, 18th May, 1916. The Commission held a preliminary meeting in the Chief Justice's Chambers, Supreme Court, Wellington. All the Commissioners were present. Messrs. Skerrett, K.C., Myers, Weston, and Luckie, representing the various parties interested, were present, and a general discussion took place as to procedure. It was decided to hold a sitting of the Commission in Palmerston North, to commence on . Tuesday, 23rd May, at 10 a.m. Mr. W. Ilollis Cocker was appointed secretary to the Commission, and Mr. H. E. Le Grove official reporter.

Friday, 19th May, 1916. The Commission met in the Borough Council Chambers, Foxton, at 10.30 a.m. The Chairman read the Commission. The branch of the inquiry relating to the proposed purchase of the Foxton Wharf by the Foxton Harbour Board was opened. Counsel appeared as follows : Mr. M. Myers for the Railway Department; Mr. T. S. Weston and Mr. M. Luckie for the Foxton Harbour Board; Mr. Innes for the Palmerston North and Feilding Borough Council, the Palmerston North and Feilding Chambers of Commerce, and the Kairanga, Pohangina, Oroua, and Kiwitea County Councils. The Commission adjourned for the purpose of inspecting the harbour and river by means of a motor-launch. On resuming, the following witnesses were called by Mr. Weston and examined on oath : Eichard William McVilly, Charles Henry Howaith, Samuel Jickell, Phillip Joseph IFennessy.

Saturday, 20th May, 1916. The Commission met in the Borough Council Chambers, Foxton, at 10 a.m. The following witnesses were call*! by Mr. Weston and examined on oath : Albert James Kellow, Frank Lawton, George Henry Styles, Phillip Joseph Hennessy (further examined).

Monday, 22nd May, 1916. The Commission proceeded by motor-car from Foxton to Mar ton, over a route agreed upon by counsel, in order to inspect the nature of the country which would be served by the proposed new line of railway. Tuesday, 23rd May, 1916. The Commission met at the Supreme Court House, Palmerston North, at 10 a.m. The following witnesses were called by Mr. Weston and examined on oath : John Carville Young, Meldrum Alfred Elliott, Francis Strachan Goldingham, Ernest Hugh Crabb, Thomas Eaynor Hodder, Albert James Kellow, William Park. At 2 p.m. the branch of the inquiry relating to the acquisition or extension of the Sandon Tramway and the proposed deviation of the Main Trunk line was commenced. On this branch of the inquiry the following counsel appeared : Mr. M. Myers for the Eailway Department; Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr. M. Luckie, for the County Councils of Manawatu, Rangitikei, and Horowhenua, the Borough Councils of Marton, Levin, and Foxton, and the Bull's Town Board; Mr. Innes for the same local bodies as in the Foxton Harbour branch of "the inquiry. The following witness was called by Mr. Skerrett and examined on oath : Sir James Wilson.

Wednesday, 24th May, 1916. The Commission met at the Supreme Court House, Palmerston North, at 10 a.m. The following witnesses were called by Mr. Skerrett and examined on oath : Sir James Wilson (further examined), William John Phillips, William Strode Penney, Kenneth Waring Dalrymple, Fred. Purnell, Alfred Kingsley Drew.