G.—la.

perpetual succession and a common seal, and be capable in law of suing and being sued, and, subject to the provisions hereinafter contained, shall have power to, &c. Each Commissioner to hold office for a term of five years, and at the end of term to be eligible for reappointment. Every Commissioner shall hold his office during good behaviour. A Commissioner may be removed for misbehaviour, iv hen the General Assembly is sitting, by a recommendation to the Governor, &c. When the General Assembly is not sitting, by a writing under the hand of the Governor. A Commissioner shall be deemed to have vacated his office if, &c. One of such Commissioners shall be appointed by the Governor in Council as Chief Commissioner, &c. The Commissioners shall receive the following salaries : (1.) The Chief Commissioner a salary not exceeding £ per annum. (2.) Each of the Commissioners a salary not exceeding £ per annum. All such salaries, and the salary of any Deputy-Commissioner during his term of office, shall, without further appropriation, be paid out of the Consolidated Fund. Each Commissioner shall be allowed per day for travelling-expenses. Two Commissioners to form a quorum. The Chief Commissioner to be chairman at meetings of the Commission. If absent, the next senior Commissioner shall preside. Presiding Commissioner shall, in the event of an equal division of votes at a meeting, have a second or casting-vote. The present four Native Districts —Auckland, Poverty Bay, Wanganui, and Wellington to remain as they are. A District Commissioner to be appointed to each Native District, except in the case of Auckland, which will require two —one for the North, the other for the South. The main functions of the Board to be : (1.) To advise and assist Natives holding land under Maori usage or custom in getting their lands passed through the Native Land Court in the manner set forth in Appendix A. hereto. (2.) When such lands have finally passed through the Court, to further advise and assist the Native owners in the subsequent management and disposal of their lands in the manner set forth in Appendix B. hereto. (3.) To take over from the Public Trustee the control and management of all Native reserves, and the West Coast Settlement Reserves at present under his jurisdiction; and all moneys at the credit of these several reserves, as well as all liabilities, at the date of such taking over. (4.) To take over all endowments for educational or other purposes which have been made of lands belonging to the Native race, and to carry out the objects for which such lands were dedicated ; or, if there has in the past been any failure in the carrying out of the trusts for which such lands have been set apart, then to endeavour to reinstate the same, or, if that is found impracticable, to restore the lands to the original owners or their successors. On the Disposition of Moneys. All moneys derived from the lease or sale of the lands in question shall be paid to the District Commissioner, who shall lodge the same daily in the bank to the credit of an official account of the Commissioners called " The Native Land Fund Account." Such account shall be operated on only by cheque signed by the Commissioners, or in such manner as rules may prescribe. Public Revenues Act to apply. Accounts to be kept by Commissioners in such form as the Controller and AuditorGeneral shall direct, &c. Moneys to be paid to owners after deductions : (1.) 5 per cent, on all purchase-money or rent to be received towards the costs not otherwise provided for of giving effect to this Act. (2.) So much as may be agreed upon between the District Commissioner and the Committee to repay the cost of surveying and laying off roads, and the cost, or part of the cost, of roading under this Act. (3.) The amount of any moneys certified by the Surveyor-General to be owing by the owners in respect of any surveys.

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