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Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEALAND.

AUCKLAND CANALS AND INLAND WATERWAYS COMMISSION. (REPORT OF THE).

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

REPORT.

To His Excellency the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency,— Your Excellency's Commission, dated 8th December, 1920, directed us to inquire into and report as to the establishment of a system of canals and inland waterways, and otherwise improving the means of transport, in the Auckland District, and with special reference to the following matters : — (1.) What should be the route or routes of one or more canals ; (2.) The dimensions of these canals and the class of vessels to navigate them ; (3.) The character and quantity of probable traffic thereon and the revenue to be derived therefrom ; (4.) The estimated cost of works considered necessary ; (5.) The working-expenses of these canals, including maintenance, interest, and sinking fund ; (6.) What effect the construction of a canal or canals will have upon the revenue of the Government railways ; (7.) The contingent works necessary to enable the canals to be fully developed and used, such as roads, railways, wharves, and stores ; (8.) As to the form of control or management of any such works as we might recommend ; (9.) As to the finance, construction, and maintenance thereof ; (10.) As to whether any concession should be granted by the General Government or local governing authorities ; (11.) As to whether the adjacent districts should be subject to rating to provide a guarantee for loans which might be necessary to provide funds for construction purposes, and as to whether those districts should be rated to provide for losses in working'; (12.) As to the effect which the construction of canals or the improvement of existing waterways from a traffic point of view may have upon the drainage of any existing swamp lands and on lands adjacent thereto ;

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