D.—4

20

Monday, 12th February, 19] 7. met in the Railway Social Hall, Guyton Street, Wanganui, at 10 a.m. The Chairman opened proceedings, and called on the secretary to read the warrant. Mr. Myers, counsel for the Railway Department, handed in a list of the rolling-stock repairing staff on the Wellington-Taumarunui — New Plymouth - Napier District. John Valentine, Car and Wagon Inspector at Wanganui, was called by the Railway Department, and examined on oath. Counsel for the Department requested the Commission to subpoena Mr. W. A. Veitch, M.P., to appear and give evidence, and this was arranged. A copy of instruction from the Locomotive Engineer at Petone to the Workshop Managers and Car and Wagon Inspectors, dated Petone, 10th June, 1914, authorizing the use of suitable pieces of draw-bar springs on vehicles, except cars, was put in; also a copy of instruction from the Car and Wagon Inspector at Wangauui, dated Wanganui, 16th June, 1914, to train-examiners and lifters, to the same effect. William Kydd, Workshop Manage) , at East Town, and Robert Withington Turner, Foreman Carpenter at East Town, were called by the Railway Department, and examined on oath. The following witnesses were called by the Commission, and examined on oath : William Joseph Piper, train-examiner, Wanganui; William Taylor Landells, Westinghousc-brake fitter, Wanganui; Ernest Nepaul James, relieving lifter between Taumarunui and New Plymouth. The Commission adjourned at 4.15 p.m. t

Tuesday, 13th February, 1917. The Commission resumed at 10 a.m. William Andrew Veitch, M.P. for Wanganui, attended before the Commission, and submitted himself to examination on oath. The following witnesses were called by the Commission, and examined on oath . William Sidney Murrow, train-examiner, Marton; William Richard Shaw, train-examiner, Hawera; Sidney Loft, Westinghouse-brake fitter, New Plymouth; Frederick Joseph Rogers, train-examiner, New Plymouth. The Commission adjourned at 12.45 p.m. to inspect East Town Workshops in the afternoon. The Commission left Wanganui at 2.15 p.m. for East Town, and inspected the repairingfacilities at East Town Workshops, returning to Wanganui at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, 14th February, 1917. The Commission met at 9.30 a.m. at the Wanganui Station, and made an inspection of the wagon and car stock in the station-yard. The Commission left by train at 12.3 p.m. for Palmerston North, arriving there at 3.16 p.m.

Thursday, 15th February, 1917. The Commission met in the station-yard at Palmerston North at 9.30 a.m., and proceeded to inspect carriage and wagon stock, adjourning at 12.15 p.m. for lunch. They left Palmerston North for Napier by train at 1.1 p.m., arriving Napier at 6.12 p.m.

Friday, 16th Fbbruaey, 1917. The Commission at 9.30 a.m. proceeded to inspect rolling-stock in the Napier yard. They also visited the Railway Workshops, and inspected repairing-faoilities there.

Saturday, 17th February, 1917. The Commission left Napier by train at 8.45 a.m., arriving Wellington at 5.50 p.m.