G.—s

from the valuation. They appear to have been prompted to urge this by the fact that the Public Trustee at about that time was granting new leases to old tenants on the same terms under the provisions of " The West Coast Settlements Reserves Act, 1892." We regard the action of the trustees as the result of an error. These new leases are for twenty-one years, with two rights of renewal of twenty-one years each at valuation, ignoring improvements, and contain no covenant to insure or to further improve. These leases may prove to have been beyond the power of the trustees to grant. In view of the results of the administration of the present trustees, we consider the Synod should appoint more trustees in number with a considerable lay element, and if they abstain from taking this course Parliament should be asked to provide for it. We also think that it is desirable that a Maori representative should be amongst the trustees. In conclusion, we think it expedient to express an opinion that in all cases where the foundation of the trust has been a Maori donation, the Church or other authorities should make provision for the representation of Maoris on the governing body. We are also of opinion that in every case there should be a strong lay element in the trust. We are further of opinion that the trustees of all similar trusts to those we have had under consideration should be required to report and account in the same manner, and to the same person, as recommended in the case of the proposed body of trustees for the Porirua and Otaki trusts. We think the cost of any of the inquiries should not be borne compulsorily by any of the trust funds, but we make no other recommendation with regard to the costs. We now return to Your Excellency the Commissions with which you honoured us, together with the evidence taken, and the appendix. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine lundred and five. James Prendbbgast. H. S. Wardell. W. H. Quick. Ihaia Hutana.

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