I—2a

III

Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Resolved, That the previous instruction given to the Clerk to write to Mr. Dalziell be cancelled, and that he be informed that an opportunity would be afforded him of giving evidence before the Committee. The following members of the House were present: Right Hon. Mr. Coates, Mr. Young, Mr. Sykes, Mr. Hall, Mr. Parry, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. Fraser. Messrs. Rousell and Knutzen (Railway Department) and Messrs. Barker and Hansen (Forestry Department) were also present. The following petitioners were present, gave evidence in favour of the petition, and were questioned by members of the Committee : Mr. F. C. Rollett, agricultural editor, Auckland Weekly News, Auckland ; Mr. W. A. Parnham, farmer, Wharepaina ; Mr. W. G. Butcher, farmer, Reporoa ; Mr. H. M. Martin, farmer, Ngongotaha. Mr. Martin handed in a statement, to be marked Exhibit 1 in the Minutes of Evidence. On motion of Mr. Semple, it was resolved, That the evidence on the petition of Earle Vaile and others be printed, and that the previous instruction for the typing of extra copies of the evidence be cancelled. The Committee continued to sit until 1.15 p.m., and adjourned until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday. 19th September, 1929. Thursday, 19th September, 1929. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 9.30 a.m. Present: Colonel McDonald (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ransom, Mr. Makitanara, Mr. Kyle, Mr. Massey, Mr. Lye, Mr. Semple, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Jenkins. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following members of the House were present: Right Hon. Mr. Coates, Mr. Young, Mr. Sykes, Mr. Hall, Mr. Parry, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. Fraser. Messrs. Rousell and Knutzen (Railway Department) and Messrs. Barker and Hansen (Forestry Department) were present. Mr. W. J. Parsons was also in attendance. Mr. E. E. Vaile gave evidence in favour of the petition, and was questioned by members of the Committee. On motion of Mr. Massey, it was resolved, That a representative of the Department of Agriculture be summoned to attend at next meeting. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Railway Department and obtain information as to the quantities of manure carried to Matamata and Rotorua respectively. The Committee continued to sit until 12 noon, and then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 24th September, 1929. Tuesday, 24th September, 1929. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 10 a.m. Present: Colonel McDonald (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ransom, Mr. Makitanara, Mr. Kyle, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Massey, Mr. Lye, Mr. Semple. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following members of the House were present: Right Hon. Mr. Coates, Mr. Young, Mr. Parry, Mr. Clinkard. Messrs. Rousell and Knutzen (Railway Department), Messrs. Barker and Hansen (Forestry Department), Mr. Cockayne (Department of Agriculture) and Mr. Galvin, Crown Lands Ranger, from the Lands Department, were present. Mr. E. E. "Vaile was further examined by members of the Committee. Mr. Dalziell, barrister, Wellington, gave evidence. Mr. E. E. Vaile informed the Committee that he intended to call further evidence, naming Mr. W. E. L. Napier and Mr. Lane. The Committee continued to sit until 1 o'clock, and then adjourned until 9.20 a.m. on Wednesday, 25th September, 1929. Wednesday, 25th September, 1929. The Committee met pursuant to notice at 9.30 a.m. Present: Colonel McDonald (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Ransom, Mr. Kyle, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Massey, Rev. Clyde Carr, Mr. Lye, Mr. Semple, Mr. Makitanara, Mr. Samuel. Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. On motion of Mr. Kyle, it was resolved, That the Committee adjourn at 11.25 a.m. on Thursday, 26th September. The following members of the House were present : Mr. Lee Martin, Mr. Parry, Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata. The following departmental officers were present: Messrs. Rousell and Knutzen (Railway Department), Messrs. Barker and Hansen (Forestry Department), Mr. Cockayne (Department of Agriculture), and Mr. Galvin (Lands and Survey Department). Messrs. Vaile, Parsons, and Lane were also present. Mr. Dalziell, barrister, Wellington, gave further evidence, and was questioned by members of the Committee and Mr. E. E. Vaile, one of the petitioners. The Committee continued to sit until 1 o'clock, and then adjourned until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 26th September, 1929.