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in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, do hereby constitute and appoint you, the said— Ashley John Hunter, William Duffus Hunt, and Heathcote Beetham Williams to be a Commission to inquire into and report upon the above matters generally, and in particular to inquire into and to report upon— (1.) The causes of the financial difficulties now being experienced by settlers in the district set apart for the purposes of the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910. (2.) The capacity of the lands in the said district to bear the charges leviable against them under the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, having regard to the value of the said lands at the time the drainage operations were undertaken. (3.) The bearing that increases in the prices of such lands due to sales, and to transfers effected subsequently to the inauguration and carrying-out of such drainage-works, have had upon the general taxation now leviable upon such lands. (4.) Whether the Government should proceed with the further development of lands within the aforesaid drainage district by expenditure out of capital, and, if so, whether such expenditure should be a charge on the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Account, or be provided by way of grant or subsidy. (5.) What portion (if any) of the charges to which lands in the aforesaid district have, or may become subject can equitably be regarded as chargeable against the State and be met by way of a grant in aid of drainage and road works, having regard to the fact that the Government has in the past given grants or subsidies to works of a national character, such as roads, river-protection, drainage, &c. (6.) By what methods can the aforesaid settlers' indebtedness to the Crown be alleviated, and to what extent. (7.) What relief (if any) should be afforded to the aforesaid settlers by mortgagees other than any relief that may be recommended as a charge to be borne by the Government. (8.) Whether on the completion of the scheme of works now being carried on under the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Act, 1910, or on the completion of the extension of such scheme if further works are deemed advisable, the ratepayers within the aforesaid drainage district should take steps to have the maintenance of such works controlled by a Drainage Board. (9.) Whether, in the event of such a Drainage Board being constituted, it should be subsidized by the Government for a limited period. What should be such period and the rate of subsidy. (10.) In the event of such a Drainage Board being constituted what plant (if any) should be handed over by the Government to the Board. What should be the terms of purchase of such plant by the Board. (11.) Any other recommendations or advice arising out of these premises. And, with the like advice and consent, I do further appoint you — Ashley John Hunter to be Chairman of the said Commission. And you are hereby authorized to conduct any inquiries under these presents at such times and places as you 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) such persons as you think capable of affording you information as to the matters aforesaid, and to call for and examine all such documents as you deem likely to afford you information on any such matters. And, using all due diligence, you are required to report to me, under your hands and seals, not later than the thirtieth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-five, your opinion on the aforesaid matters.