]). I.

1911. NEW ZEALAND

NORTH AUCKLAND RAILWAY (REPORT OF COMMISSION ON THE), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assenihhj by Coin maud of His Excellency.

COMMISSION.

Islington, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Vernon Herbert Reed. of Kawakawa, M.P., solicitor; Lewis Philip Becroft, of Port Albert, J.P., farmer; John Coom, of Remuera, Auckland, civil engineer; William Evans, of Timaru, J.P., flour-miller; Thomas Ronayne, of Wellington, General Manager of the New Zealand Government Railways; John Stallworthy, of Aratapu, M.P., newspaper-proprietor : and Thomas Herbert Steadman, of Whangarei, solicitor : greeting. Whereas the construction of certain portions of a line of railway which it is proposed shall extend from the City of Auckland through the northern peninsula of New Zealand has been authorized from time to time by various Railways Authorization Acts : And whereas the construction of a portion of the said line of railway from Maungaturoto to the southern boundary of Maungatapere Parish was authorized by the Railways Authorization Act, 1904, but doubts have arisen as to the best route or routes to be authorized for that portion of the line of railway northwards of McCarroll's Gap : And whereas for the purpose of deciding what route or routes should be so authorized by law it is deemed expedient that a commission should be issued for making inquiry in the most ample manner into all the facts and circumstances necessary and proper to be considered in determining the best route or routes to be adopted. Now, therefore, know ye that I, John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Baron Islington, the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, reposing trust and confidence in your knowledge, integrity, and ability, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, do hereby, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, constitute and appoint you, the said Vernon Herbert Reed. Lewis Philip Becroft. John Coom, William Evans, Thomas Ronayne, John Stallworthy, and Thomas Herbert Steadmax, to be a Commission for the purpose of making inquiry into the matters following, that is to say : — I—D. 4.