D—2

3rd. Land Capabilities—comprising : The extent of proposed site Natural formation of the land Water Supply Facilities for drainage and sewerage Facilities for the construction of wharves and piers The sanitary condition of the site and neighbourhood. 4th. The resources of the surrounding country Its extent and character Quantity of available land (whether alienated or unalienated; for pastoral or agricultural pursuits Its timber for building purposes and fuel Other building mateiials Mineral products Roads and facilities of communication with proposed capital. sth. Capabilities of Defence : From attack by land From attack by sea. 6th. Natural Disadvantages : Whether capable of removal from the appliances of science Whether beyond control or removal. The Commissioners commenced their labours at Wellington, on the southern coast of the North Island. They collected all the information that could be laid before them on these several heads of enquiry, and tested the information, so obtained, by personal examination, wherever such a course was practicable. The Commissioners then proceeded along the South Coast to Whanganui, and personally examined the harbor and the surrounding country. The Commissioners then passed to the opposite shore of the Strait, and directed their attention to Picton, in the Province of Marlborough, and minutely examined Queen Charlotte's Sound and the Tory Channel. They then proceeded inland to Blenheim and (descending by the Wairau river) made a personal inspection of Port Underwood, represented to be the natural harbor of this district. They also examined the pastoral districts lying to the south and east of the Wairau Valley. Leaving Picton the Commissioners examined carefully the Pelorus Sound, to the town of Havelock, in the same Province, and from thence proceeded through the French Pass to Nelson. They made a personal inspection of Blind Bay, with its various harbors, including Croixelles on the East Shore, and Massacre Bay and Astrolabe Roadstead upon the West, and visited portions of the interior of the country. Having thus made themselves acquainted, as far as was practicable, with the character and capabilities of both shores of Cook's Strait, the Commissioners have arrived at the unanimous conclusion that Wellington, in Port Nicholson, is the site upon the shores of Cook's Straits which presents the greatest advantages for the administration of the Government of the Colony. The Commissioners cannot conclude the important mission, which has been entrusted to them, without recording their high sense of the valuable assistance afforded to them, in pursuing their investigation, by the authorities of the various Provinces, and also of the spirit of candor and impartiality which has been displayed by the gentlemen furnishing the information they required. They are desirous also of placing on record their acknowledgment of the courtesy and personal kindness received by them, in every district which they visited. Francis Murphy. Joseph Docker. Ronald (J. Gunn.

Colonial Secretary's Office, " Auckland, 14th October, 1864. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the number and date quoted in the margin, forwarding a packet placed in your care by the Seat of Government Commissioners, and in reply to inform your Honor that it has, as requested by you, been transmitted to His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, William Fox. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson.

10th October, 1864.

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SEAT OF GOVERNMENT TO COOK'S STRAITS.