G.-4

1886. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE RESERVES AT ARAHURA, GREYMOUTH, NELSON, AND MOTUEKA. (REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO TERMS AND CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THEY ARE TENANTED.)

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated gist May 1886

COMMISSION. Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, to our trusty and loving subjects, Harhy Keneick, of the Thames, in the Colony of New Zealand, Esquire ; Gerhard Mueller, of Hokitika, in the said Colony, Esquire ; and James Thompson Catley, of Nelson, in the said Colony, Esquire. Whereas the Governor of our said colony hath, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council thereof, deemed it expedient that a Commission should be forthwith issued for the purposes and in the manner hereinafter set forth : Now, therefore, know ye that we, reposing great trust nd confidence in your zeal, knowledge, and ability, do by these presents constitute and appoint you, the said Harry Kenrick, Gerhard Mueller, and James Thompson Catley, to be our Commissioners, to inquire into the terms and conditions upon which the present tenants or occupiers of portions of Native reserves at Arahura, Greymouth, Town of Nelson, and Motueka occupy or hold possession of the said lands respectively, and to report whether, in your opinion, the several rentals-now payable in respect of the said lands are fair and reasonable, having regard to the circumstances of each case, and the conditions under which any such tenancy or occupancy commenced ; also, whether any promises were made to the tenants of Native reserves at the several places aforesaid or any of them by Alexander Mackay, Esquire, as Commissioner of Native Reserves, that the rentals payable under the leases held by the said tenants should be reduced, and, if so, in what manner; also, whether such reduced rental (if any) was subsequently accepted by the Commissioner, notwithstanding the covenants contained in the said lease. And generally to inquire into the management and condition of the said reserves, and to inquire whether the tenants or sub-tenants thereof have any good cause of complaint, or suffered any damage to their interests in the said reserves by reason of any legislative enactments passed since the creation of such interests ; and, taking the surrounding circumstances into consideration, whether the present tenants of the said reserves should be allowed or granted any concessions, and, if so, of what nature, either in respect of the covenants contained in the said leases or the rentals now payable by the said tenants thereunder respectively: whether, also, any valuation for improvements should bo allowed to the said tenants, and, if so, upon what basis. And, for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, we do authorize and empower you to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such place or piaces in the said colony as you may deem expedient, and to call before you and examine upon oath such person or persons as you judge necessary, by whom you may bo better informed of the matters herein submitted for your consideration, and also to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, maps, plans, accounts, or records as you shall judge likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject of this our Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premisses by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever. And our further will and pleasure is that you do report to us under your hands and seals (with as little delay as may be consistent with a due discharge of the duties hereby imposed upor; you) your opinion on the matters herein submitted for your consideration, with power to certify unto us from time to time your several proceedings in respect of the matters aforesaid, if it may seem expedient for you so to do. And we do further declare that this our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, our said Commissioners, 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. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to bo made patent, and the Seal of our said Colony to be hereunto affixed. Witness the hand of our trusty and well-beloved Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, Lieutenant-Genoral in Her Majesty's Army, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of Now Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same ; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at Wellington, this fourteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-five. Wm. F. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. Approved in Council. FORSTER GORING, Clerk of the Executive Council. I—G. 4.