IV

C—l 4.

And 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 inquired into by you under or by virtue of these presents within one month from the date hereof, stating in such report what steps (it any) it would, in your opinion, be expedient to adopt under the circumstances which you find to exist, and in what manner effect should be given to such recommendations. . , ~ . . „ „ „ 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 execution hereof, and of every power, matter, and thing herein contained. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor this fourteenth day of May, nineteen hundred and ten. R. McKenzie, Minister of Mines.

BEPOET. To His Excellency the Right Honourable John Poynder, Baron Islington, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty s Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies. May it please Your Excellency — The commission intrusted to us directed our attention to inquire into and report on the following matters : — Reference. (1) Whether any and what lands are injuriously affected by the operation of the sludge-channel Proclamation of the 25th day of March, 1895; (2) Whether the navigation of the Waihou and Ohinemuri Rivers is, or is likely to be, seriously impeded from the same cause; (3.) What, if any, remedial measures can be adopted without injury to any persons, corporations,"or interests; (4) What proportion of the cost of carrying out any recommendations we may make should be a charge against the revenue derived by any of the local bodies from the mines interested in the use of the said watercourses; (5.) And generally to report our opinion on all matters arising out of or touching the premises. Having now concluded our investigations and inquiries, we have the honour to submit to Your Excellency our report on the several matters referred to us. The time for presenting our report was extended by His Excellency the Administrator of the Government, Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., for one month, to 14th July, 1910. Sitting, Auckland. On receipt of the commission of the 14th May, 1910, the Commissioners proceeded to Auckland, and, as previously publicly advertised in the newspapers, attended at the Departmental Buildings there on luesday, the 17th, and Wed-