H.—l4

1887. NEW ZEALAND.

PURCHASE OF MR. STARK'S PROPERTY, NORTH SHORE, AUCKLAND. (REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED TO INQUIRE INTO THE MATTER.)

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

Commission. To the Hon. Theodobe Minet Haultain, of Auckland, in the Colony of New Zealand, and formerly a member of the Executive Council of the said colony; Geoegb William Harvey, of Dunedin, in the said colony, a Barrister of the Supreme Court of New Zealand; and to Eichabd Westenea, of Christchurch, in the said colony, Esquire —Greeting: Whereas in or about the month of January, 1886, the Government of New Zealand, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, purchased from one Bobert Adam Mosley Stark, of Auckland, in the said colony, a piece or parcel of land at the North Shore, near Auckland aforesaid, containing 28 acres and 16 perches or thereabouts, for the sum of £17,100, such land being so purchased for defence purposes: And whereas it is alleged that the said purchase-money so paid was in excess of the value of the said land, and also that certain irregularities occurred in the mode of conducting and completing the said purchase, and it is expedient that inquiry should be made for the purposes and in the manner hereinafter set forth : Now, therefore, I, William Francis Drummond Jervois, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, having confidence in your knowledge, ability, and integrity, do hereby, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, appoint you, the said Theodore Minet Haultain, Geobgb William Harvey, and EICHAED WESTENBA, to be Commissioners, by all lawful ways and means, to inquire into the said purchase of land as aforesaid from the said Robert Adam Mosley Stark, and into all the facts and circumstances connected with or incidental to the said purchase, and the conduct of all and every persons and person concerned in or taking part in the said purchase in any way. And Ido direct that such inquiry shall be held at Auckland aforesaid, on such day or days, and at such time or times, and in such place in Auckland aforesaid, as you may think convenient; and that before you commence the said inquiry at least three days' notice of the day, place, and time on and at which you will be prepared to enter upon the said inquiry shall be given to such person or persons as may in your opinion be affected by or concerned in the said inquiry, and generally to all other persons who may desire to offer evidence before you in respect of the matters comprised in these presents, such notice to be given by publication thereof at least once in two or more newspapers circulating in the City of Auckland, and in such other manner as you may deem necessary or convenient. And I also direct that you may from time to time fix such days or times for hearing evidence and proceeding in the matter of the said inquiry as you may think fit, subject, however, to the terms of these presents; and also that you may from time to time adjourn, alter, or vary the days or times aforesaid, in such manner as you may judge desirable for the purpose of giving full effect to the said inquiry. And I hereby empower you to call before you and examine on oath, or otherwise as may be allowed by law, all such person or persons as you may think capable of affording you. information in the premises, and that all such evidence shall be fully and fairly taken down and transcribed in writing, and shall be signed by the person or persons giving such evidence. And I declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and you, the said Commissioners, may from time to time, and at any place or places in Auckland aforesaid, proceed in the execution thereof although the inquiry be I—H. 14