H.—7.

6. What were the names, addresses, and occupations of and area owned by each of the owners of the freehold and leasehold lands comprising the rifle-range at the time the proposal to purchase it was first made. The date when, and by whom, negotiations were first opened up with each owner. The nature of the transactions in such lands with such owners, and since that date. The amount of actual purchasemoney received by each owner. How and when such purchase-money was paid, and by whom, and to whom. And whether any provision was made for the cancellation of existing leases. If not, the date of the expiry of the existing leases, and what amount payable as rental. 7. The amount of purchase-money paid by the Government in connection with such lands, the date of payment, and to whom such purchase-money was paid. The amount of difference, if any, between such purchase-money, and that actually received by the original owners from the agents or principal vendors in reference to the said lands. 8. Whether any persons other than Messrs. Kirk and Atkinson were ever interested with them in the purchase of such lands from the original owners. If so, the names, occupations, and addresses of such persons, the amounts paid away or received by them in connection with any portion of such lands, and the amount of profit, if any, made by them in connection with their interests therein. 9. The nature and full text of any agreements existing for the purchase of any interest in any portion of such lands the title to which may not yet be complete, and the names of all parties beneficially interested in such purchase, whether stated on such agreements or otherwise. 10. Whether the total area originally stated to be necessary for the rifle-range has been acquired and paid for by the Government, and, if not, what is the area still remaining to be acquired. 11. Whether any portion of the lands in Polhill Gully acquired from the original owners for the Government in connection with the rifle-range have been retained by the agents or principal vendors and been offered by them to others at a large advance on the original, purchase-money, although Government had not notified the vendors that the land was not required. 12. Whether disputes have arisen between any of the original owners or other parties respecting the title to and the payment of any portion of the purchase-money of such lands, and the nature of such disputes, and whether the litigation that has taken place as between the Native owners and other Natives claiming an interest in the lands affected in any way the title of the lands purchased or to be purchased. 13. Whether the owners of the lands adjoining the block selected for a rifle-range are willing to allow a range to be erected in Polhill's Gully. Whether there are any valid objections to the lands purchased being used as a rifle-range. 14. Whether, looking at the whole of the circumstances connected with the rifle-range, it is desirable in the public interest that the balance of the lands, if any, should be acquired, and the purchase formally completed. 15. And, generally, to make inquiry into any matter or thing arising out of or connected with the several subjects of inquiry hereinbefore mentioned, or which in your opinion may be of assistance in fully ascertaining, explaining, or assisting in arriving at a fair and just conclusion in respect of the subjects of inquiry, or any of them, or any part thereof or in relation thereto. And for the better enabling you to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorised and empowered 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 and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such person or persons as you may think capable of affording you information in the premises. And you are also hereby empowered 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 Commission, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever. And, lastly, using all diligence, you are required to report to me, under your hands and seals, your opinion resulting from the said, inquiry in respect of the several matters and things investigated by you under or by virtue of these presents, not later than the eighteenth day of May next ensuing, stating in such report what steps, if any, it would, in your opinion, be expedient to adopt under the circumstances which you find to exist; and in what maimer effect should be given to such recommendation. 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 by adjournment, and that you, or any two of you, shall and may from time to time proceed in the execution hereof, and of every power, matter, and thing herein contained. In witness whereof I, James Prendergast, Knight, Chief Justice, the Administrator of the Government of the Colony of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and ,■, consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, have hereunto set my hand, ' ' and caused these presents to be issued under the seal of the said colony, at Wellington, this twelfth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-two. Issued in Executive Council— James Prendergast, Alex. Willis, Administrator of the Government. Clerk of the Executive Council.

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