Jan. 24.] THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 241

generally by Clifton County from the northernmost corner of Waimarino County to the summit of Rangitoto Mountain; thence by a right line to the summit of Puwhenua Mountain, at the easternmost corner of Piako County; and thence by the said Piako County to the southern boundary of Tauranga County aforesaid. The said area comprises the Counties of Rotorua and East Taupo, and parts of the Counties of West Taupo and Piako.

As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this eighteenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and seven.

JOHN G. FINDLAY,
Colonial Secretary.

Commission to inquire into Question of Native Lands and Native-land Tenure.

PLUNKET, Governor.

To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Sir Robert Stout, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Chief Justice of the Colony of New Zealand; and to Apirana Turupa Ngata, of Auckland, Bachelor of Laws, Barrister of the Supreme Court of New Zealand: Greeting.

WHEREAS there are large areas of Native lands of which some are unoccupied and others partially and unprofitably occupied: And whereas it would be for the benefit of the Natives themselves and to the advantage of European settlement if prompt and effective provision were made whereby such lands should be profitably occupied, cultivated, and improved: And whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be appointed to inquire and report as to the best methods to be adopted in the premises:

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by “The Commissioners Act, 1903,” and the amendments thereof, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in that behalf, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you, the said

Sir Robert Stout and
Apirana Turupa Ngata,

to be a Commission to inquire and report as to—

1. What areas of Native lands there are which are unoccupied or not profitably occupied, the owners thereof, and, if in your opinion necessary, the nature of such owners’ titles and the interests affecting the same.

2. How such lands can best be utilised and settled in the interests of the Native owners and the public good.

3. What areas (if any) of such lands could or should be set apart—

   (a.) For the individual occupation of the Native owners, and for purposes of cultivation and farming.

   (b.) As communal lands for the purposes of the Native owners as a body, tribe, or village.

   (c.) For future occupation by the descendants or successors of the Native owners, and how such land can in the meantime be properly and profitably used.

   (d.) For settlement by other Natives than the Native owners, and on what terms and conditions, and by what modes of disposition.

   (e.) For settlement by Europeans, on what terms and conditions, by what modes of disposition, in what areas, and with what safeguards to prevent the subsequent aggregation of such areas in European hands.

And further to report as to—

4. How the existing institutions established amongst Natives and the existing systems of dealing with Native lands can best be utilised or adapted for the purposes aforesaid, and to what extent or in what manner they should be modified.

And you are hereby enjoined to make such suggestions and recommendations as you may consider desirable or necessary with respect to the foregoing matters, and generally with respect to the necessity of legislation in the premises.

And, with the like advice and consent, I do further appoint you, the said

Sir Robert Stout,

to be Chairman of the said Commission.

And for the better enabling you, the said Commission, to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorised and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such times and places in the said colony as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and from place to place as you think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such person or persons as you think capable of affording you information in the premises; and you are also hereby empowered to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, plans, maps, or records as you deem likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject-matter of this inquiry, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all lawful ways and means whatsoever. And, using all diligence, you are required to transmit to me, under your hands and seals, your reports and recommendations from time to time after the inquiries aforesaid have been made in respect of any considerable blocks or areas of Native land; and to transmit to me your first report not later than the fifteenth day of July, one thousand nine hundred and seven, or such extended date as may hereafter be named by me in that behalf, and your final report not later than the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and nine, or such extended date as may hereafter be named by me. And you are directed to so frame your reports as to facilitate prompt action being taken thereon, and in particular to furnish in such reports such detail as to the lands available for European settlement as will enable Parliament, if it deem fit, to give immediate legislative effect to such parts of your reports. And it is hereby declared that these presents shall continue in full force and virtue although the inquiry may not be regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment. And, lastly, it is hereby further declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of “The Commissioners Act, 1903,” and “The Commissioners Act Amendment Act, 1905.”

Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable William Lee, Baron Plunket, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty’s Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seven.

J. G. WARD.

Approved in Council.

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

Officer under the Fisheries Conservation Acts appointed, Wellington District.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 12th January, 1907.

IT is hereby notified that

JAMES THOMAS WHITE, of White Rock, Martinborough, has been appointed to be an Officer for the purposes of “The Fisheries Conservation Act, 1884,” and the Acts amending the same.

JOHN G. FINDLAY,
Colonial Secretary.

Ranger under the Animals Protection Acts, Wellington District, appointed.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 18th January, 1907.

HIS Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint

JAMES THOMAS WHITE

to be a Ranger under “The Animals Protection Act, 1880,” and the Acts amending the same, for the District of Wellington.

JOHN G. FINDLAY,
Colonial Secretary.