H.—27.

2

(3.) What maximum amount of explosives should be allowed to be stored in any magazine ? (4.) Should one magazine building be allowed, or should a number of small magazines of limited capacity be established at a safe distance from each other ? (5.) Should the magazines at Maraetai and Thames, having regard to their capacity, propinquity to roads existing and intended, adjoining settlement, methods of carriage and other matters, be continued or closed ? (6.) Should the law as to the carriage of explosives on shore be so amended as to expressly permit of such carriage by wagons driven by steam or petrol engines ? And generally to inquire into and report upon such other matters arising thereout as may come under your notice in the course of your inquiries, and which you consider ■should be investigated in connection therewith. And with the like advice and consent I do further appoint you, the said Robert West Holmes, to be the Chairman of the said Commission. And for the better enabling you, the said Commission, to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorized and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents, at such times and places in the said Dominion as yoii deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such person or persons as you think capable of affording you information in the premises ; and you are also hereby empowered to call for and examine all such books, papers, writings, documents, or records as you deem likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject-matter of the inquiry hereby directed to be made, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all lawful means whatsoever. And, using all diligence, you are required to report to me, under your hands and seals, not later than the thirty-first day of July, one thousand nine hundred and fourteen, your opinion as to the aforesaid matters. And it is hereby declared that these presents shall continue in full force and virtue although the inquiry is not regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment. And, lastly, it is hereby further declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William, de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Dominion, at the Government House at Wellington, this thirteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fourteen. H. I). Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs. Approved in Council. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council.