H.—2B,

(10) Whether it is practicable or desirable in any way to vary, by means of a system of differential rating, or by any other means, the incidence of rates and the relative amount of rates (whether general, special, or any other kind) that are or may hereafter be assessable in respect of any lands in the borough, or any lands that have been or will be excluded therefrom. (11) What restrictions, if any, should be placed upon the power of the Borough Council to amend under section 23 of the Local Bodies' Loans Act, 1926, any special rate either in respect of lands within the borough or in respect of lands which have been or may be excluded from the borough but so as to remain liable for any special rate. (12) Whether, notwithstanding the provisions of the Rating Act, 1925, as to the adoption of any particular system of rating in any district, it is desirable that any system of rating other than that now in force in the borough should be in force therein, and, if so, what system and by w r hat means it should be adopted. (13) In the event of your reporting under the last preceding paragraph hereof that a system of rating other than that now in force in the borough should be adopted, what provision, if any, should be made for the future altering of the system so to be adopted. (14) Such other matters affecting or incidental to the Borough of Otaki, and the administration thereof by the Otaki Borough Council, as may come under your notice in the course of your inquiries and as you may think it necessary and desirable to consider. And with the like advice and consent I do further appoint you, the said Robert Mackenzie Watson, to be the Chairman of the said Commission : And you are hereby authorized to conduct any inquiry under these presents at such times and places as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you think fit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise such persons as you think capable of affording you information as to the matters aforesaid, and to call for and examine all such books, papers, writings, documents, and records as you deem likely to afford you the fullest information on any such matters : And, using all due diligence, you are required to report to me, under your hands and seals, not later than the twenty-first day of May, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight: And you are hereby strictly charged and directed that you shall not at any time publish or otherwise disclose, save to me in pursuance of these presents or by my direction, the contents or purport of any report so made or to be made by you : And it is hereby declared that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue although the inquiry be not regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment: And, lastly, it is hereby further declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, and issued under the Seal of that Dominion, this sth day of March, 1928. A. D. McLeod, [ L,s -] Minister in Charge of Valuation. Approved in Council. C. A. Jeffery, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

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