15

D.—2a.

COMMISSION.

Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith: To our trusty and loving subjects, Captain William Russell Russell, of Hastings, in the Colony of New Zealand ; James Glenny Wilson, of Bull's, in the said colony, Esquire, M.H.R.; Charles Napier Bell, of Christchureh, in the said colony, Esquire, M.I.C.E. Wiierkas the Governor of our said colony hath, by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council thereof, deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith be issued for the purposes and in the manner hereinafter set forth: Now, therefore, know ye that we, reposing great trust aud confidence in your zeal, knowledge, and ability, do by these presents constitute and appoint you, the said Captain William Russell Russell, James Glenny Wilson, and Charles Napieb Bell, to be our Commissioners for the purpose of making inquiry into the probable cost and economical or commercial value and other merits of the several lines specified in the Schedule to this Commission, or any other lines proposed for the connection of the Provincial District of Canterbury with the west coast of the Middle Island, and also for the purpose of making inquiry into the mineral and other resources of tiie districts or lands which the several lines would traverse; it being the intention of these presents that you shall make inquiry in the most ample manner into all the facts and circumstances necessary and proper to be considered in determining the best line to connect Canterbury with the West Coast. And, for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, we do authorize and empower you, or any two of you, to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such place or places in the said colony as you may deem expedient, aud to call before you such persons or person as you may judge necessary by whom you may be better informed of the matters herein submitted for your consideration, and also to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, maps, plans, accounts, or records as you shall judge likely to aft'ord you the fullest information on the subject of this our Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever. And our further will and pleasure is that you, or any two of you, do report to us, under your hands and seals (with as little delay as may be consistent with a due discharge of the duties hereby imposed upon you), your opinion on the several matters herein submitted for your consideration, with power to certify unto us from time to time your several proceedings in respect of any of the matters aforesaid, if it may seem expedient for you so to do. And we do further declare that this our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, our said Commissioners, or any two of you, shall and may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the Seal of the said Colony to be hereunto affixed. Witness our trusty and well-beloved Sir William Francis Drummond Jervois, Governor in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies ; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at Wellington, this second day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three. (1.5.) Wm. F. Deummond Jeeyois, Issued in Executive Council. Governor. Foester Goring, Clerk of the Executive Council.

Schedule. 1. Reefton Line. —Brunnerton to Hanmer Plains via Reefton, Cannibal Gorge, and Ada Saddle. 2. Reefton Line. —Brunnerton to Hanmer Plains via Reefton, Cannibal Gorge, and Lewis Saddle. 3. Kiwi Line.—Brunnerton to Hurunui via Cannibal Gorge and Fowler's Pass, and by Lewis, Boyle, Hope, and Kiwi Rivers, and Lake Sumner. 4. Hanmer Plains Line.—Brunnerton to Hanmer Plains via Cannibal Gorge and Fowler's Pass, by Lewis, Boyle, and Waiau Rivers. 5. Kiwi Line. —Brunnerton to Hurunui via Hope Saddle and Ahaura, Tutaekuri, Hope, and Kiwi Rivers to Lake Sumner. G. Hanmer Plains Line. —Brunnerton to Hanmer Plains via Hope Saddle, by Ahaura, Tutaekuri, Hope, and Wairau Rivers. 7. Lake Brunner Line. —Brunnerton to Hurunui by Arnold River, Lake Brunner, and Teremakau and Hurunui Rivers. 8. Kuniara Line.—Brunnerton to Hurunui via Greymouth aud Sea Beach to Teremakau River, thence by Kuwara and Teremakau and Hurunui Rivers. 9. Lake Brunner Line. —Bruoanerton to Waddington via Arnold River, Lake Brunner, Teremakau River, Taipo River, Waimakariri River, Goldney's Saddle, and Waimakariri River. 10. Kuniara Line.!- j-Brunnerton to Waddington via Greymouth, Sea Beach to Teremakau, Teremakau and Taipo Rivers, Waimakariri River, Goldney's Saddle, and Waimakariri River 11. Lake Brunner Line.—Brunnerton to Waddington via Arnold River, Lake Brunner, Teremakau, Otira, Bealey, and Waimakariri Rivers, Goldney's Saddle, and Waimakariri River.