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And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, you are hereby authorised and empowered 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 and examine on oath, or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such person or persons as you may think capable of affording you information in the premises; and you are also hereby empowered to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, maps, plans, or records as you shall judge likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject of this Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever, and also to use the evidence taken in the course of any previous inquiry touching the disaster. And lastly, that, using all diligence, you do report to us, under your hands and seals, your opinion resulting from the said inquiry, in respect of the several matters and things inquired into by you under or by virtue of these presents, not later than the fifth day of June next ensuing, stating in such report what steps, if any, it would, in your opinion, be expedient to adopt under the circumstances which you find to exist, and in what manner effect should be given to such recommendation. .- 'And it is hereby declared that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, although the inquiry be not regularly continued from time to time by adjournment, and that you or any two of you shall and may from time to time proceed in the execution hereof, and of every power, matter, and thing herein contained. In witness whereof I, David Earl of Glasgow, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice of the Executive Council of the said Colony, have hereunto set my hand, and have caused these presents to be issued under the seal of the said colony, at Wellington, in the said colony, this twentyfourth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six. Glasgow, Governor. Issued in Executive Council. J. F. Andrews, Assistant-Clerk of the Executive Council.

Glasgow, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Charles Dudley Robert Ward, Esquire of Christchurch, District Court Judge; Sir James Hector, of Wellington, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Joseph Proud, Esquire, of Wanganui, a certificated Colliery-manager under the provisions of "The Coal Mines Act, 1886"; and Thomas Skellon, of Huntly, Coal-miner— Greeting: Whereas by a Commission bearing date the twenty-fourth day of April last, you, the said Charles Dudley Robert Ward, Sir James Hector, Joseph Proud, and Thomas Skellon, were appointed to be a Commission, for the purposes and with the powers in the said Commission more particularly mentioned : And whereas, by the said Commission, you were directed and required to report to me, on or before the fifth day of June then next ensuing, your proceedings and your opinion touching the matters mentioned therein : And whereas it is expedient that the said period should be extended as hereinafter provided: Now, therefore, I, David, Earl of Glasgow, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, by and with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, and in exercise of every power and authority enabling me in that behalf, do hereby extend the period within which you shall (using all diligence) report to me as by the said Commission provided, to the twenty-second day of June instant. And with the like advice and consent, and in further pursuance and exercise of the said power and authority, I do hereby confirm the said Commission, except as altered by these presents. In witness whereof, I, David, Earl of Glasgow, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice of the Executive Council of the said Colony, have hereunto set my hand and have caused these presents to be issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at Wellington, in the said colony, this second day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-six. Glasgow, Governor. Issued in Executive Council. Alex. Willis, Clerk of the Executive Council.

REPORT. To His Excellency the Right Honourable David, Earl of Glasgow ; 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 Vice-Admiral of the Bamo: