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1904. NEW ZEALAND.

TE AKAU BLOCK (REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON).

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

COMMISSION.

Ranfurly, Governor. To Henry Alfred Home Monro, Esquire, of Parnell, and to James Mackay, Esquire, of Paeroa, both in the Provincial District of Auckland : Greeting. Whereas petitions have been presented to Parliament by Honana Maioha and Tuaiwa Ngatipare, complaining of the decision of the Native Appellate Court, given in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four, in respect of the block of land known as Te Akau, situated in the Provincial District of Auckland : And whereas the Native Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives has reported that such Committee recommends that the whole question relating to Te Akau Block should be referred to the Government for inquiry : And whereas it is expedient that a Commission should be appointed to make inquiry as recommended by the Committee aforesaid : Now know ye that I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in exercise of the power conferred upon me by " The Commissioners Act, 1903," and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you. the said Henry Alfred Home Monro and James Mackay, to be a Commission for the purpose of investigating the matters referred to in the said petitions in connection with the said block of land known as Te Akau. And I do hereby require you, using all diligence, to report to me, under your hands and seals, your opinion resulting from the said inquiry in respect of the several matters and things investigated by you under or by virtue of these presents, not later than the thirtieth day of June next ensuing. And, lastly, I hereby declare that this Commission is issued under and subject to the provisions of " The Commissioners Act, 1903." Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly; Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George; Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's (1.5.) Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies ; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this first day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and four. J. CARROLL. Approved in Council. Alex. Willis, Clerk of the Executive Council. God save the King !

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