D.—4

2

111. Whether, in the alternative, it is desirable in the public interest that the County Council having the control of the Sandon Tramway should be permitted to connect that tramway with the Main Trunk Eailway at Marton or Greatford. IV. Whether it is desirable in the public interest that a new line of railway should be constructed by the Government from Levin or some other suitable point on the Main Trunk Eailway to Foxton. And with the like advice and consent I do further appoint you the said Robert Stout to be the Chairman of the said Commission. And for the better enabling you, the said Commission, to carry these presents into effect you are hereby authorized and empowered to make and conduct any inquiry under these presents at such times and places in the said Dominion as you deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as you think lit, and to call before you and examine on oath or otherwise, as may be allowed by law, such person or persons as you think capable of affording you information in the premises; and you are also hereby empowered to call for and examine all such books, papers, plans, writings, documents, or reports as you deem likely to afford you the fullest information on the subject-matter of the inquiry hereby directed to be made, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all lawful means whatsoever. And, using all diligence, you are required to report to me, under your hands and seals, not later than the thirtieth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and sixteen, your opinion as to the aforesaid matters. And it is hereby declared that these presents shall continue in full force and virtue although the inquiry is not regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment. And, lastly, it is hereby further declared that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William de Brito Savile, Earl of Liverpool, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael ami Saint George, Member of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Dominion of New Zealand and its Dependencies; and issued under the Seal of the said Dominion, at the Government House at Wellington, this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and sixteen. W. H. Merries, Approved in Council. Minister of Railways. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council.

EXTENSION OF FOXTON RAILWAY COMMISSION. Liverpool, Governor. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to the Honourable Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., Chief Justice of New Zealand; William Mowat llannay, Esquire, of Wellington; and Cyrus Williams, Esquire, of Lyttelton : Greeting. Whereas by a Warrant dated the thirty-first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and sixteen, and issued under my hand and the Public Seal of the Dominion, you were appointed a Commission to inquire as to the advisability of the suggested purchase of Foxton Railway Wharf by the Foxton Harbour Board, the connection of the Sandon Tramway with the Main Trunk Railway line, and the formation of a new railway-line connecting Foxton will) the existing lines of railway at Levin or some other suitable" point : And whereas it is expedient to extend the scope of the said inquiry in manner hereinafter appearing :