G.-4

Session II. 1906. NEW -ZEALAND.

TE AUTE AND WANGANUI SCHOOL TRUSTS (REPORT AND EVIDENCE OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE).

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

COMMISSION.

Pmjnket, Governor. Charles Cargill Kettle, of Auckland, Esquire, District Judge; Alexander Wilson Hogg, of Masterton, Esquire, a member of the House of Representatives; Huntly John Harry Eliott, of Hutt, Esquire; Robert Lee, of Hutt, Esquire; and Apirana Turupa Ngata, of Port Awanui, Esquire, a member of the House of Representatives: Greeting. Whereas by the Crown grants mentioned in the schedule hereto certain lands were granted to the persons therein named in trust for the use and towards the maintenance of the schools therein referred to: And whereas the lands were ceded to the Crown by the Native owners thereof so as to provide for a school to be maintained at Te Aute, in the district of Ahuriri, for the benefit of the aboriginal inhabitants of New Zealand, and for a school to be maintained in the district of Ahuriri aforesaid for the education of children of British subjects of both races in New Zealand: And whereas doubt has arisen as to whether the lands and the revenues derived therefrom have been so administered as to fulfil in the best manner the trusts thereof: And whereas it is alleged that the lands have not been let by public tender or otherwise to the best advantage : And whereas it seems expedient in maintaining a school or schools as aforesaid that adequate provision should be made for the manual and technical education of children of both races in New Zealand, and especially of Maori children : And whereas it is alleged that the provision hitherto made in that behalf is not adequate: And whereas it may be necessary in the next session of Parliament to provide for legislation concerning the trusts and matters aforesaid: And whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be appointed to inquire into the present position of the trusts and trust estates created by the respective Crown grants mentioned in the schedule hereto and into the necessity or expediency of the proposed legislation with respect thereof: Now, therefore, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in exercise of the powers conferred by "The Commissioners Act, 1903," and of every other power and authority enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby constitute and appoint you, the said Chaeles Cargill Kettle, Alexander Wilson Hogg, Huntly John Habet Eliott, Robert Lee, and Apirana Tueupa Ngata,

i—G. 5.