7

D.—4a

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Thursday, 3rd March, 1921. The Commissioner held a preliminary meeting in L Committee-room, Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, at 11 a.m. Present : All the Commissioners, and Messrs. H. E. LeGrove and J. A. Mitchell, official reporters, and H. H. Sterling, secretary. Mr. M. Myers appeared as counsel for the Railway Department. The Secretary read the Commission and extension thereof. A discussion took place as to the procedure to be followed. It was decided to take evidence in Wellington on Friday and Monday following, and to proceed to Palmerston North on Tuesday, Bth March, and continue proceedings there at 2.30 p.m." on Wednesday, 9th idem. Mr. F. W. MacLcan, Chief Engineer in the Railway Department, placed various plans before the Commission and briefly explained the same. Friday, 4th March, 1921. The Commission met in Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, at 11 a.m. Sir James Wilson and Mr. W. IT. Field, M.P., attended before the Commission on behalf of parties interested in the proposed deviation of the railway between Levin and Marton. After some discussion it was decided to adjourn until 11 a.m. on Monday, 7th March, to meet the convenience of the parties represented by Mr. Field. Monday, 7th March, 1921. The Commission met in Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, at 10.30 a.m. Mr. M. Luckie appeared as counsel for parties favourable to the Levin-Marton deviation of the Main Trunk line and opposed to the shifting of Palmerston North Station to the site proposed by the Railway Department. The following witnesses were called by Mr. Myers and examined on oath : Francis William Mac Lean and Richard William McVilly. Wednesday, 9th March, .1.921. The Commission met in the Courthouse, Palmerston North, at 2.30 p.m. Mr. M. H. Oram appeared as counsel for the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce. Sir James Wilson addressed the Commission on behalf of the Levin-Greatford Railway League. Mr. Luckie addressed the Commission and called the following witnesses, who were examined on oath : Robert West Holmes, William Thomson, John Chrystall, Thomas John Rodgers, William Wallace, Cook, John Aitchison, Albert Lonsdale Cook, John Ireland, and Christian Nicolai Clausen. Mr. Myers called the following witness, who was examined on oath : James Alfred Nash. Thursday, 10th March, 1921. The Commission met at the Courthouse, Palmerston North, at 11 a.m. The following witnesses were called by Mr. Myers and examined on oath : Joseph Harford, Jack Howard Vincent, Lachlan Thomson McLean, Joseph Linklator, John Llewellyn Morgan, Ernest Hugh Crabb, Henry Llewellyn Young, John Moore Johnston, William McKenzie. Friday, 11th March, 1921. The Commission proceeded by motor-car from Palmerston North to Marton, and thence to Levin, via Bull's, Sanson, and Foxton; thence by train to Wellington. Tuesday, 22nd March, 1.921. The Commission met in Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, at 2.30 p.m. The following witnesses were further examined : Francis William Mac Lean, Richard William McVilly. - Wednesday, 23rd March, 1921. The Commission met in Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, at 10.30 a.m. The following witnesses were called by Mr. Luckie and examined on oath : Joseph Prime Maxwell, James Edward Fulton. Thursday, 24th March, 1921. The Commission met in Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington, at 10 a.m. The following witness was further examined : Francis William Mac Lean. The following witness was called by Mr. Myers and examined on oath : James Burnett. Messrs. Luckie and Myers addressed the Commission. The Commission rose at 1 p.m.