G.—3b.

Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE RESERVES ON THE WEST COAST, MIDDLE ISLAND (REPORT OF MR. COMMISSIONER YOUNG ON), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Laid on the Table by the Hon. Mr. Bryce, with the leave of the House.

The Under Secretary, Native Office, to Mr. T. E. Young, Wellington. Sir,— Native Office, Wellington, 29th November, 1878. I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Sheehan, to forward herewith a Commission, signed by His Excellency the Governor, and issued under the seal of the colony, appointing you to be a Commissioner for the purpose of ascertaining the names of the aboriginal owners of reserves on the west coast of the Middle Island, and of making certain other inquiries in connection therewith. I have, &c, H. T. Clarke, T. E. Young, Esq., AVeilington. Under Secretary.

Normanby, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Thomas Edward Young, Esq., greeting: WHEREAS the lands set forth in the Schedule hereto were selected and sot aside for the benefit of aboriginal Natives at the time wheii the West Coast Block of the Middle Island was purchased by the Crown ; but such lands were not allocated or granted to individual Natives, nor were the shares and proportions of such Natives defined and specified: And whereas the said lands are now subject to the provisions of " The Native Reserves Act, 1856," and the amendments thereof: And whereas it is desirable that some person should be appointed a Commissioner for the following purposes: — 1. To ascertain the names, addresses, and occupations of the individual Natives beneficially entitled to such lands. 2. The respective shares, estates, and interests of the Natives so entitled. 3. Whether any of such Natives desire, or whether it is expedient, to have the said land partitioned in severalty, and, if so, the mode, terms, and conditions under and subject to which such partition should be made. 4. The names of the persons (if any) in whom any of the Natives desire their share, estate, or interest in the said land to be vested as trustees, and the trusts and powers to be given to such trustees. 5. Whether any restriction ought to be placed in any grant or other assurance of the said lands to prevent alienation, cither by sale, mortgage, lease, or otherwise. 6. And generally to inquire and report as to the best course to be followed to give effect to the objects for which such lands were reserved, and to carry out the wishes of the Native aboriginal persons interested therein. Now, therefore, I, George Augustus Constantine, Marquis of Normanby, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Colony, having full confidence in your impartiality, ability, and integrity, do hereby appoint you, the said Thomas Edward Young, to be a Commissioner to inquire into and report upon the several purposes and objects hereinbefore specified, aud in furtherance of such inquiry and for the purposes aforesaid to take evidence upon oath or otherwise as to you shall seem meet, and to report on the same. And Ido hereby, and with the advice and consent aforesaid, require you within twelve months of the date of this Commission, or as much sooner as the same can from time to time be done, using all diligence, to certify to me under your hand and seal your opinion touching the premises. And with the like advice and consent 1 do hereby declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, the said Commissioner, shall and may from time to time proceed in tho execution thereof at such place and places and at such times as you shall judge convenient, although the same shall not continue from time to time by adjournment. I—G. 3b.