J).—6

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Board wishes at any time to open Rose's overflow to navigation, they should not do so without the consent of the Governor. Reference Clause 2. —Controlling Body. We have no hesitation in recommending that the control of the river should be vested in one central authority. With regard to the Harbour Board, we consider that it should not be interfered with, except that the central authority should, with the consent of the Governor, have the right to do such works as they consider necessary in and about the rivers under the jurisdiction of the Harbour Board. The provisions of the Harbours Act, 1908, section 148, will safeguard the interest of all parties. Reference Clause 3. —Area op Central District. We recommend that the area of the central district shall include the whole of the watershed of the Wairau River and its tributaries. Reference Clause 4. —Powers of Central Authority. We recommend that the powers set out in the Land Drainage Acts should be conferred upon, the central authority in addition, to the statutory powers of River Boards, and that the election of the Board should be conducted, on the system of proportional representation, and that one member of the Board be appointed by the Harbour Board. Your Excellency's Commissioners are further of opinion that there is no Board now existing which could deal satisfactorily with this matter, nor is it likely that the proposed central authority could be expected to carry out the large and varied works recommended by us. Such works involve complicated, surveys, and call for the best engineering skill. Further, works of this kind must be carried out in accordance with a definite programme, which must be controlled by the authority responsible for the design, if economy, safety, and satisfaction are to be secured. We therefore recommend that the design of the scheme and the execution thereof be carried out under the direction of the Minister of Public Works, and on completion the works be handed over to the newly constituted local body. Further, that legislation be introduced providing for the raising of a sum of money sufficient to complete the works and to give effect to our recommendations ; that repayment of such sum (less such contribution as you may decide to make from, the general funds of the Dominion) be secured by a rate levied on the rateable property of the new district, classified in proportion to the benefit derived from the works. Reference Clause 5. In the absence of plans and the necessary information, we are unable to make an estimate of the cost of the proposed works. We are quite satisfied that the cost will compare very favourably with the enormous losses tlie settlers have suffered in the past, and against a repetition of which they have no adequate protection. We also recommend that, in view of the necessary delays incident to the preparing of the scheme and the passing of the necessary legislation, the surveys and investigations be pressed on and put in hand without delay. We are pleased to report that the finances of all the Boards are in a very satisfactory condition, and there will be a very small liability for the new Board to take over. Further, the large and expensive works now existing have been carried out with but very little assistance from the general funds of the Dominion. And this our report, which has been unanimously adopted, we have the honour respectfully to submit for the consideration of Your Excellency, in obedience to the Commission addressed to us. Given at Blenheim, under our hands and seals, this 6th day of June, 1917. F. OB. Loughnan, Chairman of Commission. F. W. Furkert, } n Chas. R. Vickerman, jCommissioners.