E.—2a.

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

AUCKLAND RAILWAYS, (REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE).

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

No. 1. Appointment of Commission. Noemanby, Governor. To all to whom these Presents shall come; and to Eeadee Gilson Wood, of Auckland, Esquire ; JonN Sangster Macfarlane, of Auckland aforesaid, Esquire; and William Swanson, of the same place, Esquire. Wheeeas it is expedient that a Commission should be appointed for the purpose of making the inquiry hereinafter mentioned : Now, therefore, know ye that I, George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, having full trust and confidence 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 tho Executive Council of the said Colony, do hereby appoint you, the said Eeadee Gilson AVood, John Sanostee Macfaelane, and William Swanson, to be Commissioners, by all lawful ways and means, and subject to the terms of these presents, to examine and inquire into the several matters and things hereinafter set forth, that is to say, — To inquire irrto and ascertain iv what manner the several railways under the control of the Government of the Colony in the Provincial District of Auckland are now being worked and managed, and whether, consistently with reasonable economy in the management and administration of such railways, greater facilities can be given to the public in respect of the traffic thereon and the use thereof: And generally, by all lawful ways and rneaus, to examine aud inquire into every matter and thing touching and concerning the premises, in such manner, and at such time or times, and at such places within the said district as you may appoint or determine: Provided that any such inquiry may be adjourned by you from time to time, or from place to place, but so that no such adjournment shall be for a longer period than ten days at any one time, nor to any place without the limits of the said district: And I do hereby authorize and empower you to have before you and examine all books, papers, maps, plans, documents, and writings whatsoever, which you shall judge necessary or expedient, relating to the subject-matter of this inquiry or any part thereof; and also to have before you and examine on oath or otherwise as may be allowed by law all witnesses or other person or persons whom you shall judge capable of affording you any information touching or concerning the said inquiry or any part thereof : And I do further require ) 7ou, within two calendar months from the date of these presents, or as much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to certify to me under your hands and seals your several proceedings and your opinion touching the premises, and stating therein what measrrres (if any) it would in your opinion be desirable to adopt in respect thereof, or of any matter and thing arising out of or connected with the said inquiry: And I do hereby appoint you the said Header Gilson Wood to be the Chairman of this Commission ; and in case of ) 7our absence do authorize you to appoint such one of the persons associated with you in this Commission as you may think fit to be Chairman for that occasion only ; and do hereby declare that all powers hereby vested in you the said Commissioners shall and may be exercised by any two of you sitting and acting together: And lastly, I do hereby declare that this Commission is and is intended to be issued subject to the provisions of "The Commissioners Powers Act, 1867," aud "The Commissioners Powers Act Amendment Act, 1872."