H.—26

1904. NEW ZEALAND.

THE COSTLEY HOME (REPORT OF COMMISSION ON), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

COMMISSION.

Ranfuhly, Governor. To all to whom these Presents shall come, and to Richmond Beetham, of Masterton, in the Provincial District of Wellington, gentleman, and Richard Walker Anderson, of Sydenham, in the Provincial District of Canterbury, medical practitioner: Greeting. Whereas the Committee appointed by a meeting of representatives of contributing local authoritise in the Auckand Hospital and Charitable Aid District held an inquiry into the management and general condition of the Costley Home, Auckland, an institution under the control of the Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, and reported that the same was in a most unsatisfactory state, and recommend that a Royal Commission be appointed to inquire into the condition and management of the Home: And whereas it appears expedient that a Commission should be appointed to inquire into the management ancf general condition of the said Home as aforesaid : Now, therefore, I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the powers conferred by "The Commissioners Act, 1903," and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, do hereby appoint you the said Richmond Beetham and Richard Walker Anderson to be a Commission for the purpose of inquiring into the management and general condition of the said Costley Home, and into any allegations, complaints, or charges which may be duly formulated and laid or preferred before you touching the said Home. 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 or near the City of Auckland as you may deem expedient. And you are hereby authorised and empowered to have before you and examine all books, papers, writings, accounts, records, and documents whatsoever you may deem necessary for your information on the subject-matter of this inquiry or any part thereof: And also to have before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, all witnesses and other persons whom you shall judge to be capable of affording you any information touching or concerning the premises. And I do further require you within thirty days from the date of these presents, or as much sooner as can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to certify to me under your hand and seal your proceedings and your opinion touching the premises. And I do further declare that this Commission is issued under and subject to the provisions of " The Commissioners Act, 1903." Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael (1.5.) and Saint George; Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over His Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this second day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and three. Issued in Executive Council, this second day of November, one thousand nine hundred and three, Alex. Willis, Clerk of the Executive Council. I—H. 26,