G.— 2. (Appendix A.)

6. Any person or persons presenting any claim, or bringing before you any matter for inquiry, shall be entitled to do so in such manner and form as you may from time to time prescribe. 7. Tou may also require any person or persons to bring before you and produce in evidence (saving all just exceptions) any books, papers, deeds, plans, or documents of which any Court of law might compel the production. 8. Tou are hereby also empowered, in case no claim is made or evidence offered before you in respect of any such promise or engagement as aforesaid, of your own motion, to examine into and report upon any such alleged promise or engagement which may be in any manner brought to your knowledge, and although the same shall not be made or preferred by any person or persons ; and, in any such case you shall have and may exercise all and every the powers and authorities conferred upon you by these presents. 9. In giving effect to this Commission, you shall have full power and authority to employ such clerks, interpreters, and other persons as you may deem necessary for your assistance in the premises. 10. In case any inquiry under these presents shall be made and concluded by you, and it shall afterwards appear desirable for any reason that the same shall be reopened, you are hereby empowered to reopen the same, and all proceedings shall be taken in respect of such reopened inquiry as if it were an original inquiry : Provided that no inquiry shall be entered upon after the date fixed for the making of your report under this Commission. 11. And it is hereby declared that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and you the said Commissioners may from time to time, and at any place or places within the said Colony, proceed in the execution hereof, although the inquiry be not regularly continued from time to time by adjournment. 12. And you are hereby required, with as little delay as possible, but not later than four calendar months from the date hereof, to report to me, under your hands and seals, your opinion, resulting from the said inquiry, and the evidence taken thereon, of the several matters and things inquired into by you under these presents. 13. Lastly, it is hereby expressly declared that all the powers, authorities, and duties conferred or imposed upon you, the said Commissioners, may be exercised and performed by any two of you sitting and acting together. Given under the hand of His Excellency Sir Hercules George Robert Robinson, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor 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 twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty. Approved in Council: John Bbyce. Poesies Goeino, Clerk of the Executive Council. God save the Qiteen.

No. 2. Peoclamation Notipjing the Appointment op the Commission. (jj.s.) Heecitles Robinson, Governor. A PROCLAMATION. The Governor, for the information of Her Majesty's subjects of both races throughout the Colony, and more especially of those of the Native race now living between the River Waitotara and the White Cliffs, on the West Coast of the North Islaud, in order that the intentions of the Governor and the Parliament may be made known to them, directs the Act of the General Assembly to be published, which was passed during the last session of Parliament, intituled " The Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Act, 1879." He also directs the Commission to be published which appoints three persons to inquire into the causes of discontent, and the promises to the Natives on the West Coast of the North Island which are said to remain unfulfilled. This Commission is appointed in accordance with the will of Parliament, in order that any just ground of complaint which may exist on the part of Maoris may be removed, and peace may be firmly established between both races. Acts of lawlessness have taken place which endanger the peace of the country, and prisoners are held in prison till the confusion is brought to an end. This confusion cannot be allowed to continue. The Governor does not wish to return to war, or to retain the prisoners longer than is necessary in the interest of both races. Rather he desires to cultivate the work of peace.^ Por this purpose he has appointed as Commissioners gentlemen of high position and of great experience iu public affairs, to inquire into the claims and promises which are stated to be unfulfilled. They will, after full inquiry into these promises, report to the Government what they consider to be the just claims of the Maoris, They will point out what they think to be grievances under which the Maoris are suffering, and they will suggest the lands which they think should be set apart for those who determine to live in peace. The fullest opportunity will be given to all to urge their claims and their grievances before the Commission. It remains for those who have those claims and grievances to bring them forward.

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