D.—4

2

4. Has the condition of carriage and wagon springs at any time been inefficient ? 5. Is it correct (as has been alleged) that where broken springs have been found under carriages two such springs have been put into one instead of beingreplaced by one sound carriage-spring ? 6. Has the safety of the public been adversely affected at any time during the three years preceding July, one thousand nine hundred and sixteen, by the condition of the underframes and running-gear of the carriages and wagons \ 7. Has any Inspector or other officer having charge of rolling-stock, or responsible for its condition, at any time during the three years aforesaid reported adversely on the condition and upkeep of the rolling-stock, or notified any of his superiors that he declined to carry the burden of his responsibilities by reason of the condition of the rolling-stock ? If so, to whom was such report or notification given, and on what date? 8. Is the allegation that has been made, " that the undergear of coaches and wagons is wearing out, and that there has not been a sufficient supply of spares available during the three years specified," justified ? 9. Is the allegation that has been made that the condition of rolling-stock at present existing is due to inefficiency, want of thought, and neglect of public interests on the part of the responsible officers of the Department justified? And, with the like advice and consent, I do further appoint you the said Robert Julian Scott 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 fit, 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 subjectmatter 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 sixteenth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and seventeen, 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 and 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 first day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventeen. W. H. Hermes, Minister of Railways. Approved in Council. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council. God save the King !