G.—2

2

2. Whether any of the said lessees have been misled by any act of the Public Trustee or any other officer of the Public Trust Department, or the form of the lease issued, or the regulations made under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881, or its amendments, into believing that there was no limit to the amount of the compensation to which they were entitled under their leases, and in consequence of such belief made on their leaseholds or purchased from other lessees improvements in excess of five pounds (£5) per acre. 3. What areas of land now leased under the West Coast Settlement Eeserves Act, 1881, and its amendments, may hereafter be required by the Native owners for their use and occupation ; and, having regard to their particular interests therein and their individual fitness for profitably using such lands, which of the said leases, if any, should be allowed to remain under the present tenure in order that such Native owners may, on the expiration of such leases, compete for the possession of the lands held under them. 4. What provisions should be made to enable such Native owners to get : financial assistance from the Government to enable them to work their farms, should any of them become tenants of such leaseholds. And you are hereby directed to inquire into the several matters aforesaid at such place or places in the Dominion as you may think fit, by all lawful ways and means, subject to the terms of these presents. And, with the like advice and consent, I do further appoint you the said Alexander McArthur to be Chairman of the said Commission. And for the purpose of such inquiry you are hereby empowered to summon and have before you, and examine on oath or otherwise as may be allowed by law, ail witnesses or other persons whom you may judge capable of affording you any information upon or in respect of the several matters of inquiry hereinbefore mentioned, or any matter or thing arising thereout or connected therewith. And also to have before you and examine any books, writings, records, or documents whatsoever which you shall deem necessary for your information in the premises. And I do also require you, not later than the twenty-ninth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twelve, or as much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to report to me under your hands and seals your proceedings herein and your opinion touching the several premises. And I do further declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that subject to these presents you the said Commissioners shall and may from time to time proceed in the subject-matters thereof as you shall judge expedient, and that your powers and functions hereunder shall continue in full force notwithstanding that the inquiry hereby directed may not be formally adjourned. And, lastly, it is declared these presents are subject to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, ]j9OB. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Baron Islington, Privy Councillor, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, and issued under the Seal of the said Dominion at Wellington, this sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twelve. W. D. S. Mac Donald, Native Minister. Approved in Council. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council,