A.—No. 12

Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith: To His Honor Alexander James Johnston, Esquire, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, His Honor Christopher "William Eichmond, Esquire, one of the Judges of the Supreme Coiirt, the Honourable Ponsonby Peacocke, Member of the Legislative Council, Charles Edward Haughton, Esquire, Member of the House of Representatives, and James O'Neill, Esquire, Member of the House of Representatives. "Whereas we have deemed it expedient, for divers good causes and considerations, that a Commission should forthwith issue for the purpose of enquiring into the more effective provision for the regulation of prisons, and for the custody of persons convicted of serious crimes, and sentenced to long periods of imprisonment: Now know ye that we, reposing great trust and confidence in your zeal and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint you, the said Alexander James Johnston, Christopher "William Richmond, Ponsonby Peacocke, Charles Edward Haughton, and James O'Neill, to be, during our pleasure, our Commissioners to enquire into the provisions and operation of the laws and regulations now in force relative to prisons and gaols in the Colony, and into the treatment and management of prisoners, and into the condition and state of such prisons and gaols, and into the more effective provision for their regulation, and for the custody and treatment of prisoners, especially those convicted of serious crimes and sentenced to long periods of imprisonment; and to report whether any and, if any, what alteration is desirable, and whether it would be desirable that a General Penal Establishment should bo instituted for the Colony, and if so, on the best mode of instituting such establishment. And our further will and pleasure is, that you do within six months after the date of this our Commission, or as much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), certify to us under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any one or more of you, your several proceedings, and your opinion touching the premises. And we further will and command, and by these presents ordain, that this our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you our said Commissioners, or any one or more of you, shall and may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. And we hereby command all and singular, our Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Mayors, Bailiffs, Constables, Officers, Ministers, and all other our loving subjects whatsoever, as well within liberties as without, that they be assistant to you and each of you in the execution of these presents : In testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patent, and the Seal of our said Colony to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well-beloved Sir G-eorge Grey, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, our (xovernor and Commander-in-Chief in and over our said Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, at the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, and in the thirty-first year of our reign. G. Gret. Approved in Council: Forster Goring, Clerk of the Executive Council.