H.—l2,

14

Most of the recommendations we have to submit for your Excellency's favourable consideration have been touched upon in the body of our report, and reasons given in full why these recommendations are made, and there is therefore now no necessity for doing more than recording them in their order without further comment. For ready reference, the paragraphs which treat of the several subjects are in each case given in parenthesis. Our recommendations are as follows : — (1.) That a graded export duty of not less than £3 per ton be imposed, based upon " good ordinary " gum as the standard. The proceeds of this duty to be set apart for the benefit of the gum districts. (See paragraphs 13, 25, 29, and 30.) (2.) That no person other than aboriginal natives be allowed to dig for kauri-gum anywhere in New Zealand after a certain date unless he be in possession of a license, the cost of such license to be Is., and the qualification to obtain a license to be either territorial or residential. (See paragraph 22.) (3.) That all packages of kauri-gum should be graded and stamped before export. (See paragraph 26.) (4.) That land be allotted for the settlement of landless gum-diggers, both British and Austrian. (See paragraph 21.) (5.) That no more Crown lands containing gum should be sold at present. (6.) That translation of the New Zealand land-laws, the Government Savings-bank Regulations, and the Commissioners' report into the Dalmatian language should be made for distribution. (See paragraphs 19 and 21.) (7.) That no holder of a publican's license be permitted to deal in kauri-gum. (See paragraph 23.) (8.) That weights and measures should receive frequent inspection. (See paragraph 24.) (9.) That the buyer should be constrained to give payment on demand for all kauri-gum purchased, minus any contra account for goods supplied. (See paragraph 23.) (10.) That the Government undertake experiments in connection with gorse cultivation, and that suitable grasses be sown on portions of the gumfields. (See paragraphs 10 and 11.) (11.) That an import duty of ,€5O per ton be imposed on New Caledonian gum. (See paragraph 27.) We now have the honour of submitting this our report to your Excellency. The subject of the kauri-gum industry is so extensive that it would be difficult to exhaust all points of interest, but we believe that we have, to the best of our ability, covered the main ground. We have received every courtesy and assistance from settlers, merchants, storekeepers, diggers, and all others that we have called upon to supply information. The only difficulty was with the Austrians, who appeared at times to imagine that the inquiry was in some measure directed against them, and hence some of them gave evidence rather reluctantly. We have, &c, Edward Tregear. Auckland, 7th March, 1897. Gerhard Mueller.

APPENDIX. Earnings of Gum-diggers. From all sources of information supplied the Commissioners compute the earnings of gum-diggers as follows: 3,800 British and Maori diggers earn £1 6s. per week; .1,500 Austrian diggers earn £1 11s. 6d. per week. In this calculation the number of Maoris and settlers, who are but intermittent workers, have been reduced to the equivalent of able-bodied men working full time.

Places visited by Commissioners in Collection of Evidence. Auckland, Dargaville, Kaihu, Mangawhare, Waima, Mongonui Bluff, Harding's Swamp, Tataraka, Aratapu, Te Kopuru, Vale of Avoca, Tangiteroria, Poroti, Wairua Bridge, Whakapara, Hikurangi, Euakaka Swamp, Waipu, Whangarei, Mangapai, Hukerenui, Towai, Kawakawa, Opua, Eussell, Paihia, Kerikeri, Awanui, Waipapakauri, Waiharera, Houhora, Waihopo, Te Kau, Parengarenga, Mangonui, Totara North, Whangaroa, Kaeo, Kaikohe, Ohaeawai, Pakaraka, Mangawai, and Warkworth.