244
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 9

DESCRIPTION.

Awarua No. 2c No. 1 Block.

This land is situated in the northern part of the Awarua Block, between the Moawhango and Rangitikei Rivers, about five miles east of Moawhango Native settlement and township, from which it can be reached on horseback through Native lands by rough unformed tracks. It lies north-east from Kaikora on the projected North Island Main Trunk Railway-line, about fifteen miles distant from the south-west corner of the block, following the Toriri Road, which is formed for summer dray traffic for three miles and a half, and is under construction for three-quarters of a mile further on. The prolongation of the Toriri Road is called the Pukeokahu Road, which extends to the eastern side of the block, which is about twenty-five miles distant from Kaikora. Part of this latter road has been cleared, and some of the country it passes through is open, and passable to horsemen. Roads have also been projected from Taihape about eleven miles east of the block, but nothing has been done to clear or form them. All the roads within the block are still uncleared and unformed, but a loading of 6s. has been added to the price of the land for the purpose of providing a horse-track to each selection as far as the above loading will permit. All roads shown on the sale-map and lithographs are subject to deviation.

Its position with regard to Auckland, Wellington, and Hawke’s Bay Districts gives it a choice of markets, though distant.

The block comprises hilly and undulating country, the formation being principally papa and sandstone. The soil is generally good, but that on the north-west portion is clayey, and poorer in quality. The forest portion consists chiefly of matai, kahikatea, rimu, maire, and some totara, with the usual undergrowth. The open country grows native and English grasses, with a quantity of fern, &c., in places, and has carried sheep and other stock for many years past. The block is well watered by the Moawhango and Rangitikei Rivers and the Otuarei Stream, and their many tributaries. The elevation ranges from 1,400 ft. to 3,000 ft. above sea-level. The climate is generally genial, bracing, and healthy, but the winters on the higher lands are at times severe, and frosts and occasional falls of snow prevail.

This block of 10,900 acres, comprising as it does open and forest lands, though at present remote from centres of population, affords an excellent opportunity to all classes of settlers to secure an agricultural or grazing farm.

Awarua No. 4c No. 2 Block, and Sections 11 and 12, Block VI., Hautapu Survey District.

This block is situated on the southern side of the range, north-west of Mangaweka Township. The eastern part fronts on the main road between that township and Raetihi, the distance from Mangaonoho, the present inland railway terminus, being sixteen miles, and from Mangaweka Post- and Telegraph-office five miles. The railway is now in course of construction close to the block. The Mangaweka Road and its continuation, the Mataroa Road (both uncleared and unformed), pass through the block and along its northern boundary. The land has been loaded with 6s. an acre for the purpose of making a horse-track to each selection as far as the said loading will permit. All roads shown on the sale-plan and lithographs are subject to deviation.

The block comprises high hilly country broken up into ridges and gullies, and is at present well watered by permanent streams. In the north-west the spurs are flat-topped, affording some homestead-sites, but the gullies are more gorgy than in the north-eastern end. The elevation varies from about 1,700 ft. to 2,800 ft. above sea-level. All of which particulars indicate that the country is better adapted for grazing-areas than small-farm lots.

As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twenty-first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight.

JOHN McKENZIE,
Minister of Lands.

Commission to inquire into the Administration, Efficiency, and Control of the Police Force.

RANFURLY, Governor.

To all to whom these presents shall come, and to ALBERT PITT, Esquire, a Barrister, JOSEPH WILLIAM POYNTON, Esquire, a Stipendiary Magistrate, and HERBERT SAMUEL WARDELL, Esquire, a Stipendiary Magistrate: Greeting.

WHEREAS allegations and statements have been lately made from time to time respecting the administration, efficiency, and control of the Police Force of the colony:

And whereas, in view of the public importance of the matter, both as regards the public and the members of the Police Force, it is expedient that full inquiry should be made into the several matters hereinafter mentioned:

Now, therefore, I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of every power and authority 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

ALBERT PITT,
JOSEPH WILLIAM POYNTON, and
HERBERT SAMUEL WARDELL,

to be Commissioners for the purpose of inquiring into the several matters and things hereinafter mentioned and referred to, that is to say,—

1. The general organization, distribution, control, and enrolment of the Police Force of the colony as it now exists in its several branches, and the discipline and efficiency thereof, and in what respect the said Force, or any part thereof, could be better recruited, organized, controlled, or made more efficient.

2. The pay, emoluments, and rewards of the said Force, including any provision for superannuation or retirement therefrom, and the allowance of compensation thereon; and to make suggestions as to all or any of these matters, or in respect of allowances to be made to members of the said Force in case of illness or accident while in such Force, or by way of compassionate allowance to their wives or families in case of death.

3. As to the general conduct, sobriety, and morality of the members of the said Force, and the alleged failure of the said Police Force to maintain order and enforce the laws of the colony.

And you are hereby directed to inquire into the said several matters aforesaid, at such place or places in the colony as you may think fit, by all lawful ways and means, subject to the terms of these presents:

And, for the purpose of such inquiry, you are hereby empowered to summon and have before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, all witnesses or other persons whom you may judge capable of affording you any information upon or in respect of the said several matters of inquiry hereinbefore mentioned, or any matter or thing arising thereout or connected therewith:

And also to have before you and examine any books, writings, records, or documents whatsoever which you shall deem necessary for your information in the premises:

Provided that no inquiry shall be held by you into any matter or thing which has already been investigated and determined before any judicial or other lawfully-constituted tribunal, or where any member of the Police Force has been dismissed from the service, or whose services have been dispensed with in consequence of his misconduct or for any other reason:

Provided also that if any allegation or statement is made before you which relates to or affects the personal conduct of an individual member or members of the said Police Force, you shall not enter upon any inquiry in respect thereof until the person so affected has had at least twenty-four hours’ notice in writing of such allegation or statement, giving such particulars of time, place, and circumstances thereof as you shall deem sufficient; full opportunity being afforded to any such person to cross-examine any witness giving evidence against him, and to call any evidence in reply which he may think fit.

And I do also require you, not later than the thirtieth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, or as much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to report to me under your hands and seals your proceedings herein, and your opinion touching the several premises.

And I do further declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that, subject to these presents, you, the said Commissioners, shall and may from time to time proceed in the subject-matters thereof as you shall judge expedient, and that your powers and functions hereunder shall continue in full force, notwithstanding that the inquiry hereby directed may not be formally adjourned.

And, lastly, it is declared these presents are subject to the provisions of “The Commissioners’ Powers Act, 1867,” and its amendments.

Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at Christchurch, this fourth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight.

R. J. SEDDON.

Issued in Executive Council.

T. H. HAMER,
Acting-Clerk of Executive Council.