H.—ls

1876. NEW ZEALAND.

CLAIMS TO COMPENSATION BY OWNERS OF TRAMWAYS, (REPORT OF ROYAL COMMISSION ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

[l.s.] Normanby, Governor. To all whom these Presents shall come, and to Richard James Strachan Harman, Esquire, of Christchurch, in the Province of Canterbury, and George Sisson Cooper, Esquire, of Wellington, in the Province of Wellington, Under Secretary—Greeting : Whereas it is alleged that the owners of certain tramways mentioned in the Schedule hereto constructed certain tramway lines upon the faith of certain Resolutions passed by the County Council of the County of Westland, which Resolutions, amongst other things, provided that in the event of a Government road being opened which should compete with any tramway to its detriment, such compensation as the Council might deem fit should be given to the owners of the tramway so injured: And whereas a certain Government road or roads has or have been made, which it is alleged has or have caused a diminution in the receipts arising from the tramways mentioned in the Schedule hereto: And whereas the Provincial Council of the Province of Westland passed certain Resolutions, by which certain lands were awarded as compensation to the owners of the said tramways, and the Superintendent was requested to give effect to such Resolutions as soon as the necessary powers should be obtained from the General Government: And whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be appointed to make inquiry as to what compensation (if any) is rightly and equitably due to the owners of such tramways or some of them by reason of the alleged diminution in their receipts caused as aforesaid, and to make inquiry into the several matters and things herein set forth in the manner hereinafter provided : Now, therefore, know ye that I, George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, having full trust in your impartiality, ability, and integrity, in pursuance and exercise of all powers and authorities 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 Richard James Strachan Harman, and George Sisson Cooper, to be Commissioners by all lawful ways and means, and subject to the terms of these presents, to examine, inquire, and report on the several matters and things hereinafter set forth, that is to say, — I—H. 15.