H.—l2:

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4. To inquire whether those engaged in gum-digging on Crown lands hold licenses therefor, and as to what payments are made for the use and occupation of the said Crown lands : 5. To advise as to the best and most effectual means to conserve the interests of the colony and the well-being of those engaged in the gum industry. And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorised and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry hereunder, at such places in the Provincial District of Auckland as you deem expedient; and also to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such persons as you think capable of affording you any information in the premisses; and also to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, or records as you think likely to afford you any information in the premisses; and generally to inquire therein by all lawful ways and means whatsoever. And, using all diligence, you are required to report to me, under your hands and seals, your opinion resulting from the inquiry hereby directed in respect of the several matters investigated by you under these presents, not later than the Ist February, 1898, or such extended date as may hereafter be appointed in that behalf. And it is hereby declared that these presents are subject to the provisions of "The Commissioners' Powers Act, 1867," and its amendments; and also that these presents and your powers and functions as Commissioners hereunder shall continue in full force notwithstanding that the inquiry hereby directed may be interrupted from time to time by adjournment. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand, and caused these presents to be issued under the seal of the said colony, at Wellington, this 27th day of December, 1897. (1.5.) BANFUBLY. Issued in Executive Council. J. F. Andrews, Acting-Clerk of the Executive Council.

PEECIS OF EEPOET.

Par. Procedure .. .. .. .. 1 Gumfield areas .. .. .. .. 2 Gum working, permanency .. .. 3 Total export .. .. .. .. .. 4 Persons engaged .. .. .. .. 5 Gum licenses .. .. .. .. .. 6 Private gum lands .. .. .. .. 7 Roads and cartage .. .. .. .. 8 Damage by fires .. .. .. .. 9 Grasses .. .. .. .. .. 10 Gorse .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Tree planting .. .. .. .. .. 12 Permanency and output .. .. .. 13 Reservations .. .. .. .. .. 14 Food supplies .. .. .. .. .. 15 Austrians .. .. .. .. .. .16

Par. Mode of work (Austrians) .. .. .. 17 Contract system (Austrians) .. .. ..18 Money sent away (Austrians) .. .. .. 19 Complaints against Austrians .. .. 20 Settlement blocks for Austrians .. .. 21 Gum licenses .. .. .. .. 22 Truck system .. .. .. .. 23 Weights and measures .. .. 24 Trade, export; other gums .. .. .. 25 Trade disabilities; grading .. .. .. 26 New Caledonian gum .. .. .. 27 Fluctuations, and Government control .. .. 28 Export duty .. .. .. ..29 Charitable aid and unemployed .. .. 30 Recommendations .. .. .. .. 31