like advice and consent, and in further pursuance of the said power and authority, I hereby confirm the said Commission, except as altered by these presents.

Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Dominion. at the Government House at Wellington, this twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fourteen.

W. F. MASSEY,

Minister of Lands.

Issued in Executive Council.

J. F. ANDREWS,

Clerk of the Executive Council.

Commission.

LIVERPOOL, Governor.

To all to whom these presents shall come, and to JOHN STRAUCHON, Esq., I.S.O., of Wellington, Surveyor ; Major DANIEL HENDERSON LUSK, of Auckland, Farmer; and JOHN ALLMAN MARCHANT, Esq., of Ruatapu, Sawmill Manager : Greeting.

WHEREAS it is desirable to ascertain in what manner the land, forests, and timber belonging to the Crown, situated within mining districts in the Nelson and Westland Land Districts, should be dealt with, and whether the existing legislation and regulations dealing with the disposal of the land and timber are in the best interests of the State, and, if not, how far existing methods of administration and disposal be amended without detriment to mining interest :

Now know ye that, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, I, Arthur William de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council thereof, do hereby appoint you, the said

JOHN STRAUCHON,

DANIEL HENDERSON LUSK, and

JOHN ALLMAN MARCHANT

to be a Commission for the purpose of inquiring by all lawful means into the question of administration and disposal of the said land and timber, and for that purpose to inspect such portions, if any, of the land and forests belonging to the Crown situated within mining districts in the Nelson and Westland Land Districts as you may deem desirable, and to report-

(1.) Whether the past administration of timber areas under the provisions of the Mining Act and the regulations thereunder has been in the best interests of the State.

(2.) Whether the existing control of the same by the Mining Wardens should be abolished, and whether the Land Board of the District should alone deal with all applications for the sale of timber.

(3.) Whether it is desirable to continue the existing classification of timber areas as (a) Warden's timber areas, and (b) Land Board's timber areas.

(4.) Whether the existing tenures under which land in mining districts in the Nelson and Westland Land Districts can be occupied are satisfactory and in the best interests of settlement.

(5.) To what extent, if any, it is desirable to amend the said tenures, having due regard to mining and other interests.

(6.) To what extent the provisions of and the regulations under the Mining Act, 1908, the Land Act, 1908, or any other enactment of the General Assembly relating to the disposal of timber and occupation of land within such mining districts should be amended.

For the purpose of your inquiry you are hereby authorized and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, documents, or writings you deem necessary, and examine on oath or otherwise, as allowed by law, all witnesses or other persons whom you think capable of affording you any information in the premises. The said JOHN STRAUCHON shall be your Chairman, and you are hereby empowered or directed to conduct your inquiry in such a manner, and at such times, and with such adjournments as you think fit. And using all diligence you are hereby required to report to me under your hand the result of your inquiry, with any recommendations you think fit to make in the premises, on or before the first day of July, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen.

Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Dominion, at the Government House at Wellington, this twenty-second day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fourteen.

W. F. MASSEY,

Minister of Lands

Approved in Executive Council.

J. F. ANDREWS,

Clerk of the Executive Council.

Commission to inquire into and report as to a System of Canals and Inland Waterways and other Transport Improvements in the Auckland District.

LIVERPOOL, Governor.

To all to whom these presents shall come, and to WILLIAM FERGUSON, Esquire, of Wellington, Civil Engineer; EVAN PARRY, Esquire, of Wellington, Electrical Engineer; and JAMES ERSKINE WATSON, Esquire, of Invercargill, Merchant : Greeting.

WHEREAS it is expedient that inquiry should be made into the necessity or expediency of having a system of canals and inland waterways and otherwise improving the means of transport in the Auckland District:

Now, therefore. I, Arthur William de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, and all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, do hereby constitute and appoint you the said

WILLIAM FERGUSON,

EVAN PARRY, and

JAMES ERSKINE WATSON

to be a Commission to inquire into and report as to the establishment of a system of canals and inland waterways and otherwise improving the means of transport in the Auckland District, and with special reference to the following matters:-

1. What should be the route or routes of one or more canals.

2. The dimensions of these canals and the class of vessels to navigate them.

3. The character and quantity of probable traffic thereon and the revenue to be derived therefrom.

4. The estimated cost of works considered necessary.

5. The working-expenses thereof, including maintenance, interest, and sinking fund.

6. What effect the construction of a canal or canals will have upon the revenue of the Government railways.

7. The contingent works necessary to enable the canals to be fully developed and used, such as roads, railways, wharves, and stores.

8. As to the form of control or management of any such works as the Commission may recommend.

9. As to the finance. construction, and maintenance thereof.

10. As to whether any concession should be granted by the General Government or local governing authorities.

11. As to whether the adjacent districts should be subject to rating to provide a guarantee for loans which might be necessary to provide funds for construction purposes, and as to whether those districts should be rated to provide for losses in working.

12. Whether a bridge should be constructed across Waitemata Harbour to connect the City of Auckland with the northern districts.

And generally to inquire into and report upon such other matters arising thereout as may come under your notice in the course of your inquiries, and which you consider require to be investigated in connection therewith.