For these reasons, while admitting that the evidence adduced in favour of Mr Vaile's system has not been suffi cient to prove conclusively that it would be a financial success, or to warrant its application to the railways of the colony as a whole, the com mittee, bearing in mind the great importance' of the subject, are of opinion that a trial should be given to the system on an isolated section of our railways. It would, however, be unfair that one part of the colony should enjoy the advantage of cheap transit, thereby enhancing the value of property therein, at the expense of the general colonial revenue. Therefore the following proviso is necessary:— The com- - mittee recommend the Government by legisla tion to give the local bodies the power of carry ing it into effect where they may so desire, pro- ' vicled that the various local bodies in the dis trict to be served by the section of the raitway to which this scheme is to be applied shall have previously struck a rate sufficient in the opinion of the Government to recoup any losses to the revenue which it may entail; such losses, if any, to be calculated on'the basis of the revenue of that section for the past Siiaucial year, with the. average increase or decrease of general revenue of the New Zealand railways either added or deducted." REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Mr EEETHAM asked the Government if they will place a sum on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of subsidising volun tary contributions raised by an association for the purpose of importing the natural enemies of the rabbits. Sir J. VOGEL said the Government could not recommend a further appropriation in this direction than had been already decided on, but if the question was put again the Government would consider it. MrHOBBS asked the Government whether they intend to pay John Lundon's expenses in travelling through the electoral district of the Bay of Islands explaining the details of special settlement regulations, and are they going to make arrangements for other persons to visit other parts of the colony on the same mission. The Hon. Mr BALLANCE said the Govern ment had agreed to pay those expenses, as Mr Lundon was well acquainted with the district. The Government also had made similar arrange ments in the Canterbury district. 