D.—2.

APPOINTING COMMISSIONER TO INQUIRE INTO THE BEST ROUTE FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE ASHBURTON BRANCH RAILWAY.

COMMISSION. Victoeia, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith: To our trusty and loving subject Charles Napier Bell, of Christchurch, in the said colony, Esquire, M.I.C.E. Wheeeas 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 and confidence in your zeal, knowledge, and ability, do by these presents constitute and appoint you, the said Chaeles Napiee Bell, to be our Commissioner for the purpose of making inquiry into the probable cost and economical or commercial value and other merits of the various proposed routes for the extension of the Ashburton Branch Bailway, with the view of determining the route for the said railway best calculated to develop the surrounding country, and attain for the existing and proposed extension of railways the largest amount of traffic, 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 above question. And, for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect, we do authorize and empower you to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such place or places in the said colony as you may deem expedient, and to call before you such person or persons 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 afford 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 do report to us, under your hand and seal, within thirty days from the date hereof, your opinion on the matters herein submitted for your consideration. 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 January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four. (1.5.) Wm. F. Deummond Jeevois, . Issued in Executive Council. Governor. FOESTEE GOEING, Clerk of the Executive Council.

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