H.—9.

1879. NEW ZEALAND.

JACKSON'S BAY SPECIAL SETTLEMENT COMMISSION (REPORT OF THE). ALSO CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE KARAMEA SPECIAL SETTLEMENT.

Resolution of the House of Representatives, 29/ A August, 1878. " That the Government be requested to take immediate steps to cause a public and impartial inquiry to be held into tho working of the Jackson's Bay Special Settlement, and that any persons who may feel themselves aggrieved may have ample opportunities afforded them of giving evidence on oath before any tribunal which may be appointed."— (Mr. Barff)

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

No. 1. The Hon. Colonel Wiiitmore to Messrs. Bunny, Giles, and Whitefoord. Gentlemen, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 17th January, 1879. I have the honor to transmit herewith a Eoyal Commission issued by His Excellency the Governor in Council on tho 18th November last, appointing you Commissioners to proceed to Jackson's Bay for the purposes stated therein. The steamer " Stella " will be placed at your disposal to enable you to enter upon your duties, and that vessel will be available to leave Wellington on the 28th instant. I transmit herewith the original files of records, which will furnish you with all information respecting the settlement in the possession of the Government. In addition to the special object of the inquiry, as set forth in the Commission, the Government would be obliged by your furnishing your opinion generally upon the future prospects of the settlement, and whether it would be advisable to continue it as a special settlement, or to abandon it altogether, removing therefrom all the settlers who wish to leave. Tou are also asked to state whether you consider the further employment of Mr. Macfarlane necessary; if so, in what capacity ; also whether it is necessary to erect a jetty, or to carry on other public works. In fact, what tho Government desire is a full and exhaustive report upon tho past working and future prospects of the settlement. It would also be desirable, if you could conveniently do so, for you to visit the settlement of Karamea, in order that the Government may have some information respecting it, and, if necessary, take steps for removing the settlers. The employment of a clerk is authorized, at 10s. a day. I have, &c. Messrs. H. Bunny, M.H.E., G. S. Wditmore, J. Giles, E.M., and C. AVhitefoord, E.M. (for the Minister for Immigration.)

Enclosure in No. 1. Normandy, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Henry Bunny, Esquire, a member of the House of Eepresentatives; Joseph Giles, Esquire, Eesident Magistrate; and Caleb Whitefoord, Esquire, Eesident Magistrate, greeting : "Whereas petitions have been forwarded to the Government from tho settlers of Jackson's Bay, complaining of the manner in which the administration of the affairs of the settlement there have been conducted: And whereas the following resolution was passed by the House of Eepresentatives on tho twenty-ninth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight: " That the Government be requested to take immediate steps to cause a public and impartial inquiry to be held into the working of the Jackson's Bay Spesial Settlement, and that any persons who may feel themselves aggrieved may have ample opportunities afforded them of giving evidence on oath before any tribunal which may I—H. 9.