H.—3o,

2

3. Whether, having regard to all the circumstances, the Minister of Agriculture, in consenting to a transfer of the meat-export slaughterhouse license for the company's works to Messrs. Vestey Bros. (Limited) acted in any manner contrary to his duty or contrary to the public interest: And further to inquire into and report upon the following matters concerning the conduct of the Chairman of the Meat-export Control Board (a person appointed to that office by the Government) in the performance of the duties imposed on that Board by the Meat-export Control Board Act, 1921-22, that is to say— (i.) The action of the Chairman and of the said Board in relation to the non-inclusion of the ship named " Admiral Codrington " in freight contracts: (ii.) The action of the Chairman and of the said Board in acquiescing in the sale of the company's premises to Messrs. Yestey Bros. (Limited), or to a company controlled by Messrs. Yestey Bros. (Limited) : (iii.) Whether the conduct or action of the Chairman was contrary to his public duty or to the public interest upon all or any of the seven grounds set forth in a letter dated the 14th June, 1924, addressed by W. D. Lysnar, M.P., to the Prime Minister : And whereas a copy of the above-referred-to letter dated the 14th June, 1924, and the correspondence attached thereto and therein referred, are attached hereto as Appendix A : And whereas we have held the inquiry as directed : NoW, therefore, we have the honour to submit the following report for Your Excellency's consideration : - Sittings held. A preliminary meeting was held at Wellington on the 7th February, 1925, at 10 a.m., and the order of reference "was read, and the sittings of the Commission were, with the concurrence of Mr. Lysnar and other counsel present, formally opened. The Commission sat at Wellington for the purpose of hearing evidence there on the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th March, 1925, 6th, 7th, Bth, and 9th April, 1925. It then proceeded to Gisborne to hear the evidence available there, and sittings were held on the 29th and 30th April, 1925, Ist, 2nd, 4th, and sth May, 1925. At the conclusion of the Gisborne sittings the Commission resumed its sittings at Wellington, and sat there on the 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th May, 1925, and Ist June, 1925, for the purpose of hearing the remaining evidence tendered, and on the 4th, sth, Bth, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th June, 1925, to hear the addresses of counsel. Parties. At the sittings the following parties were represented : Sir John Findlay, K.C. (with him Mr. Taylor), appeared for the Government; Mr. C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and Mr. Treadwell, appeared for the New Zealand Meat-producers Board ; Mr. M. Myers, K.C. (with him Mr. Hislop), appeared for the National Bank of New Zealand (Limited) ; and Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.P. (with him Mr. H. Johnston), appeared for the Poverty Bay Farmers' Meat Company (Limited). During the course of the proceedings an application was made by Sir John Findlay that Mr. Lysnar should personally be cited as a party. Objection was raised by Mr. Lysnar on various grounds, including the statements contained in a letter addressed to Mr. Lysnar by the late Right Hon. W. F. Massey, P.C., dated the 10th day of December, 1924. Your Commissioners duly considered this application, and have made no order joining Mr. Lysnar personally as a party. An application was made by Mr. Lysnar relative to representation of Yesteys at the proceedings. Notice was sent to the manager of Vestey Bros.