G.—7

1929. NEW ZEALAND.

WAIKATO-MANIAPOTO NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT (REPORT OF ROYAL COMMISSION TO INQUIRE INTO MATTERS RELATING TO LEASES OF NATIVE LANDS IN).

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

COMMISSION TO INQUIRE INTO MATTERS RELATING TO LEASES OF NATIVE LANDS IN THE WAIKATO-MANIAPOTO NATIVE LAND COURT DISTRICT. Charles Fergusson, Governor-General. To all to whom these presents shall come and to Charles Edward MacCormick, Esquire, of Auckland, Judge of the Native Land Court, and Wallace Fletcher Metcalfe, Esquire, of Mount Eden, Auckland, Sheep-farmer, and Geoffrey Westwood Richards, Esquire, of Otorohanga, Farmer : Greetings. Whereas for the purpose of affording information to the General Assembly of New Zealand as to the present state of the law affecting the alienation and disposition of interests in Native land, and for the other objects and purposes hereinafter mentioned, it is expedient that a Commission should be issued to make the inquiry and suggestions hereinafter particularly referred to : Now, therefore, know ye that I, General Sir Charles Fergusson, Baronet, Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, in exercise of the powers conferred by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, reposing trust and confidence in your knowledge, ability, and integrity, 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 Charles Edward MacCormick, Wallace Fletcher Metcalfe, and Geoffrey Westwood Richards, to be a Commission under the said Act for the purpose of making inquiry into and suggestions upon the following matters, that is to say, — (1) The operation of the existing laws relating to leases of Native lands, whether vested in a Maori Land Board or not, within the WaikatoManiapoto Native Land Court District. (2) The terms and conditions of such leases as they affect the lessors and lessees respectively.

I—G. 7.