D.—No. 14

Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great- Britain and Ireland, Queen Defender of the Faith, and so forth : To Our trusty and loving subjects, the Honorable Arthur Penrose Seymour, Member of the Legislative Council; Nathaniel Edwards, Esquire, Member of the House of Representatives ; Charles Christie Graham, Esquire, Member of the House of Representatives ; Thomas Kelly, Esquire, Member of the House of Representatives ; Thomas MacfFarlane, Esquire, Member of the House of Representatives : Thomas Henry Potts, Esquire, Member of the House of Representatives ; Arthur William Follctt Halcombe, Esquire; Frederick W. Hutton, Esquire; John Kobbell, Esquire; James Kennedy, Esquire j Samuel Locke, Esquire; and Duncan McArthur, Esquire. Whereas the House of Representatives did, on the eleventh day of Augusl, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, adopt a Resolution, recommending a Commission to be appointed to inquire into and report upon the Machinery employed in different portions of the Colony for the preparation of New Zealand Elax, as well as upon the varieties of Elax, both New Zealand and European, which it may be most desirable to cultivate, upon the best method of cultivation and the probable result of the same • and also to make recommendations as to any steps that might with advantage be taken to promote and encourage tho cultivation and preparation of Elax within the Colony, and its use for manufacturing purposes within and without the Colony : Now know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint, you the said Arthur Penrose Seymour, Arthur William Follett Halcombe, Nathaniel Edwards, Frederick W. Hutton, Charles Christie Graham, John Kebbell, Thomas Kelly, James Kennedy, Thomas Macffarlane, Samuel Locke, and Thomas Henry Potts, Duncan McArthur, to be, during pleasure, Our Commissioners to inquire into and report upon the Machinery employed in tho different portions of the Colony, for the preparation of New Zealand Elax, and into the other matters mentioned in the premises and connected therewith: And our further will and pleasure is that you do, within nine months after the date of this Commission, or as much sooner as tho same can conveniently bo done (using all diligence), certify to Our Governor of the Colony of New Zealand under your hands and seals, or any one or more of you, your several proceedings, and your opinion touching the premises : And We further will and command, and by these presents ordain, that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue ; that you, Our said Commissioners, or any one or more of you, shall and may, from time to time, proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment; and also, that the before-named Thomas Macpearlane be the Chairman of you tho said Commissioners. In testimony whereof Wc have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent, and tho Seal of Our said Colony to bo hereunto affixed. Witness Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Our Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Our Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same ; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at Wellington, this fifteenth <J|y of September, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, and in the thirty-third year of Our reign. G. F. Bowen. Approved in Council, Eorsteb Goring, Clerk of the Executive Council.

COMMISSIONS