184

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

confidence in your impartiality, ability, and integrity, in pursuance and exercise
of all powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and by and with the
advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Colony, do hereby
appoint you, the said THOMAS SHAILER WESTON and RICHMOND BEETHAM, to be
Commissioners, by all lawful ways and means, and subject to the terms of these
presents, to examine and inquire into the several matters and things hereinafter
set forth, that is to say-First, To inquire into and ascertain for what purposes
and in what manner and by what authority the lands situate at or near Westport,
in the Province of Nelson, known as "The Colliery Reserve," were originally set
apart and reserved for the purposes of such Colliery Reserve, or for any
other and what purposes, and whether the purposes of the said reserve
have been in any manner changed or affected, and, if so, by what authority
or for what purpose or purposes. Second, To ascertain what claims and
liabilities are in existence in respect of or upon the said reserve, or any
part thereof, whether of a legal or equitable nature, and whether affecting
public interests or the interests of private persons. Third, To inquire
and ascertain whether the original character of such claims or liabilities
has at any time, and if so at what time, been changed or modified by the Legis-
lature of the Colony or of the Province of Nelson, or by the Government of the
Colony or of the Province respectively, or by or through the action of any person
or persons claiming any interest of a private nature in the said reserve or any
part thereof. Fourth, To consider of and report upon the expediency or otherwise
of certain proposals made by the General Government of the Colony to per-
manently utilize the said reserve as a security on behalf of the Colony, under the
authority of any Act of the General Assembly affecting the said Colliery Reserve,
or any part thereof. And also to consider of and report upon the proposals of the
said Government respecting the settlement of certain alleged claims made by
persons in occupation of certain parts of the said reserve; and to recommend in
what way each such claim or each class of such claims should be settled and disposed
of, and whether in accordance with such proposals as aforesaid, or otherwise in
respect of the premises as you may think fit and expedient to recommend.

And generally in the premises, and by all lawful ways and means, and subject
as aforesaid, to examine and inquire into every matter and thing touching and
concerning the premises, in such manner and at such time or times, at or near
to the Town of Westport aforesaid, as you shall deem expedient, but so that at
least seven days' notice shall be given, within which all and every persons or person
having or alleging that they or he have or has claims or a claim to occupy the said
reserve, or are or is entitled to compensation for any interest therein, or in any
part thereof, taken or proposed to be taken for the purposes of the railway from
Mount Rochfort Coal Fields to Westport or otherwise, in respect thereof
shall be enabled to lodge their claims with you at such place as you may
appoint. And further, that before you proceed to the investigation of such
claims or any of them, that at least two days' notice be given by you of the day,
time, and place on and at which such inquiry shall be held: Provided that any
such inquiry may be adjourned by you from time to time, or from place to place,
but so that no such adjournment shall be for a longer period than three days at
any one time, nor to any place more than five miles from the Town of Westport;

and I do hereby authorize and empower you to give any such notice or notices as
aforesaid by advertisement in some newspaper published in Westport aforesaid, or
in such other way as you shall judge expedient; and also to have before you and
examine all books, papers, maps, plans, documents, and writings whatsoever,
which you shall judge necessary or expedient relating to the subject-matter of this
inquiry or any part thereof; and also to have before you and examine on oath
or otherwise as may be allowed by law all witnesses or other person or persons
(whether claimants or otherwise) whom you shall judge capable of affording you
any information touching or concerning the premises: And I do further
require you, within two calendar months from the date of these presents, or as
much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to certify to
me under your hands and seals your several proceedings and your opinion touching
the premises: And I do hereby declare that this Commission shall continue in
full force and virtue, and that, subject to these presents, you the said Commissioners