E.-3

1880. NEW ZEALAND.

RAILWAY COMMISSION (REPORT OF.)

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency,

COMMISSION.

Victoria, by the grace of G-od, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, to our trusty and loving subjects, James McCosh Clark, of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, Esquire; Oswald Curtis, of Nelson, in the said colony, Esquire; Edward Peaece, of Wellington, in the said colony, Esquire ; John Eeid, of Elderslie, Oamaru, in the said colony, Esquire; Edward George Weight, of Winslow, Ashburton, in the said colony, Esquire, greeting : Whereas the Governor of our said colony hath, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council thereof, deemed it expedient that a Commission should be forthwith issued for the purposes and in the manner hereinafter set forth: Now, therefore, know ye that we, reposing great trust and confidence in your zeal, knowledge, and ability, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, the said James McCosh Clark, Oswald Curtis, Edwaed Pearce, John Eeid, and Edwaed George "Weight, to be our Commissioners for the purpose of making inquiry into the cost and economical value of the several lines of railway of which portions yet remain to be constructed, in order to complete such lines of railway, and also as to all other lines of railway proposed to be constructed or completed, whether as continuations or extensions of any of the railways before mentioned, or as independent lines ; and we authorize and empower you, or any three or more of you, for the purposes aforesaid, to make full inquiry into the actual working and cost of any line of railway already constructed and in working order, or that may be in such order before you do report to us as herein provided, and that you shall make inquiry respecting such proposed lines of railway as you may be informed "by our Government in New Zealand are Hues of railway proposed to be constructed as part of the general railway system, it being the intention of these presents that you shall make a full and complete investigation and inquiry into the matters aforesaid in the most full and ample manner. And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, we do authorize and empower you, or any three or more of you, to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents, at such place or places in the said colony as you may deem expedient, and to call before you such persons or person as you may judge necessary, by whom you may be better informed of the matters herein submitted for your consideration, and also to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, maps, plans, accounts , or records as you shall judge likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject of this our Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever. And our further will and pleasure is that you, or any three or more of you, do report to us, under your hands and seals (with as little delay as may be consistent with a due discharge of the duties hereby imposed upon you), your opinion on the several matters herein submitted for your consideration, with power to certify unto us from time to time your several proceedings in respect of any of the matters aforesaid if it may seem expedient for you so to do. And we do further declare that this our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, our said Commissioners, or any three 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. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the seal of the said colony to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well-beloved Sir Hercules George Eobert Eobinsoa, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at Wellington, this twenty-third day of February, in the Tear of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty. John Hall. Hercules Kobiuson. Issued in Executive Council: Fokster Goring.