20

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[No. 1]

Commission to inquire into the Kauri-gum Industry.

Department of Labour,
Wellington, 28th December, 1897.

THE following Commission is published for general information.

J. MACKAY,
For the Secretary.

COMMISSION.*

To all to whom these presents shall come, and to EDWARD TREGEAR, Esquire, of Wellington, Secretary of the Department of Labour and Chief Inspector of Factories, and GERHARD JOHN MUELLER, Esquire, of Auckland, Chief Surveyor, and Commissioner of Crown Lands: Greeting.

WHEREAS representations have been made from time to time to the Government of the colony as to the conditions and status of persons engaged in the industry of procuring and getting kauri-gum in the Provincial District of Auckland, and as to the mode of selling and disposing of such gum, and also as to the existence and nature of contract labour alleged to be employed or imported in the said industry, together with its effect in regard to other labour employed or engaged therein; and that the lands of the Crown are impoverished without adequate royalties being paid therefor, or commensurate collateral benefit being received by the colony; and that those engaged in the industry are not fairly treated in the sale of the gum produced, in that conditions are imposed which are detrimental to their well-being:

Now know ye that, in pursuance and exercise of all powers and authorities me enabling in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Colony of New Zealand, I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, Governor of the said colony, do hereby appoint you, the said

EDWARD TREGEAR and
GERHARD JOHN MUELLER,

to be Commissioners for the purpose of inquiring into the matters hereinbefore set forth, and also in particular,—

1. To report on the condition of the gum trade, industrially and commercially.

2. To report on the condition of those engaged and occupied in digging the gum, and the remuneration received by them, and as to sale, whether there is freedom of contract or not.

3. To ascertain if there has been a large influx of labourers from outside the colony to the gum-diggings; and, if so, whether the same are free labourers, or under contract.

4. To inquire whether those engaged in gum-digging on Crown lands hold licenses therefor, and as to what payments are made for the use and occupation of the said Crown lands.

5. To advise as to the best and most effectual means to conserve the interests of the colony and the well-being of those engaged in the gum industry.

And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, you are hereby authorised and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry hereunder at such places in the Provincial District of Auckland as you deem expedient; and also to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such persons as you think capable of affording you any information in the premises; and also to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, or records as you think likely to afford you any information in the premises; and generally to inquire therein by all lawful ways and means whatsoever. And, using all diligence, you are hereby required to report to me, under your hands and seals, your opinion, resulting from the inquiry hereby directed, in respect of the several matters investigated by you under these presents not later than the first day of February, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, or such extended date as may hereafter be appointed in that behalf. And it is hereby declared that these presents are subject to the provisions of “The Commissioners’ Powers Act, 1867,” and its amendments; and also that these presents, and your powers and functions as Commissioners hereunder, shall continue in full force notwithstanding that the inquiry hereby directed may be interrupted from time to time by adjournment.

In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand, and caused these presents to be issued under the Seal of the said colony, at Wellington, this twenty-seventh day of December, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-seven.

RANFURLY, Governor.

Issued in Council.

J. F. ANDREWS,
Acting Clerk, Executive Council,

Notice of the Laying-off of Road through Blocks Marumaru Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, in the Auckland Land District.

NOTICE is hereby given, by direction of His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, under the authority of section 92 of “The Public Works Act, 1894,” that the road described in the Schedule hereto was, on the 23rd April, 1897, duly taken and laid off through the land specified in the said Schedule, under the authority of the Governor of the said colony, by warrant dated the 29th February, 1896.

SCHEDULE.

DARGAVILLE–WHANGAREI ROAD.

As the said area is delineated upon the plan marked as above mentioned, deposited in the District Office of the Lands and Survey Department at Auckland, in the Auckland Land District, and thereon coloured as above stated.

Dated this 13th day of December, 1897.

JOHN McKENZIE,
Minister of Lands.

Notice of the Laying-off of a Road over Native Land in the Hokianga Survey District, Auckland Land District.

NOTICE is hereby given, by direction of His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, under the authority of “The Public Works Act, 1894,” that the road described in the Schedule hereto was, on the 18th September, 1896, duly taken and laid off through the lands specified in the said Schedule, under the authority of the Governor of the said colony, by a warrant dated the 23rd April, 1894.

SCHEDULE.

ROAD THROUGH KOKOHUIA BLOCK.

As the said area is delineated upon the plan marked as above mentioned, and deposited in the District Office of the Lands and Survey Department at Auckland, in the Auckland Land District, and thereon coloured as above noted.

Dated this 20th day of December, 1897.

JOHN McKENZIE,
Minister of Lands.

Notice of the Laying-off of a Road through the Rangitatau Block, Nukumaru Survey District, Wellington Land District.

NOTICE is hereby given, by direction of His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, under the authority of section 92 of “The Public Works Act, 1894,” that the road described in the Schedule hereto was, on the 8th day of April, 1896, duly taken and laid off through the land specified in the said Schedule, under the authority of the Governor of the said colony, by a warrant dated the 15th January, 1895.

SCHEDULE.