19

H.—9

should answer —A jetty ; and to the question, What is the second ?we should answer—A jetty ; and if asked, What is the third ?we should still answer —A jetty. And in view of the fact that there are persons now waiting, and abstaining from other pursuits, with the intention of making their home at Jackson's Bay if the Government decides to supply this prime requisite, we may take the liberty of recommending prompt action in this matter by the quotation of another old saying, to the effect that " he gives twice who gives quickly." Conclusion. —"We fear that the record of our proceedings can hardly fail to produce the impression that we have spent much valuable time in the investigation and discussion of matters in themselves utterly unimportant and frivolous ; but we could not know them to be of that character without investigation and discussion, and we have thought it better to be charged witli too much minuteness and prolixity rather than give to any an opportunity of saying that we had cut anything short, or shunned any line of inquiry that seemed likely to yield information. It was with this view that we have not only listened to evidence which we considered irrelevant, hut have obtained returns and statistical information which some might regard as unnecessary. Mr. Barff, who has always shown much anxiety that the inquiry should be thorough, appears to have thought that an accountant ought to have been on the Commission. We do not know whether his opinion was that all the accounts of the settlement ought to bo audited over again, nor by what grounds of suspicion such an opinion could be supported. But, on the supposition that Mr. Barff, and perhaps others, had a general feeling that the inspection of the accounts would show some unfair dealings with the settlers, we caused returns to be prepared for his satisfaction. These returns show tho earnings of the settlers, tho stores supplied to them, and the amount of their debts. The second reproduces the information of the first in a more elaborate shape, and with additions. If we have not misunderstood Mr. Barff, he has expressed himself as satisfied that a return of this kind was all that could reasonably be expected. We have been indebted fo Mr. Patten for much valuable evidence and information; and to Mr. Mueller, the Chief Surveyor, for the most active assistance in every stage of our inquiry, for personal guidance and information in travelling over the district, and for the most elaborate returns, maps, statistics, and reasoned opinions. We have also to acknowledge the courtesy of many other gentlemen, aud their readiness at all times to attend our sittings upon the slightest intimation that their evidence might be required. To conclude : If the voluminousness of our report exceeds its interest, as it certainly surpasses our wishes, we trust we may have the satisfaction of thinking that our labour has not been quite useless ; that we have, perhaps, set at rest many doubts, dissipated many prejudices, and refuted many slanders ; and of hoping that our conclusions may enable the Government to deal more confidently with the question, the atmosphere surrounding which has been so long obscured by distorted views, and disturbed by dissonant voices, that any knowledge of the truth of the matter began to seem a thing hopeless of attainment.- Henry Bunny, Chairman. J. Giles. Caleb Whitefoord.

No. 3. The Hon. J. Ballance to Mr. Bunny. Sin, — Immigration Office, Wellington, 11th June, 1879. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th May, addressed to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, transmitting the report of the Eoyal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the working of the special settlement at Jackson's Bay. The Government desire to thank the Commissioners for the very careful manner in which the report has been prepared, and to state that it will be presented to the General Assembly, by command of His Excellency the Governor, at the approaching session. The valuable suggestions of the Commissioners as to the requirements for the future success of the special settlement will receive due consideration from the Government. I have, &c, J. Ballance, Henry Bunny, Esq., M.H.E., Wellington. (for the Minister of Immigration.)

COEEESPONDENCE EELATING TO THE KAEAMEA SPECIAL SETTLEMENT No. 1. The Chairman of the Jackson's Bay Commission to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. :Siß,— Hokitika, 3rd April, 1879. Eeferring to your letter of the 17th January, 1879, No. 92, in which you say, " It would also be desirable, if you could conveniently do so, for you to visit the settlement at Karamea, in order that the Government may have somo information respecting it, and, if necessary, take steps for removing the settlers," I have the honor to inform you that, on the arrival of the "Stella" atWestport, I learned that it would not be safe for the " Stella " to attempt entering the Karamea Eiver, and that the expense of obtaining the services of the s.s. " Eesult" to tender the " Stella " and land myself and Mr. Whitefoord would be about £40, in addition to the expense that would be incurred by the detention of the " Stella." In the absence of any information that would justify our incurring such an outlay, Mr. Whitefoord and I determined on asking Mr. Broad, 8.M., of Westport, who had lately resided at Karamea for about a month, to furnish us with a report as to the position and prospects of the settlers, and this Mr. Broad has now done.