7

H.—s

the Minister of Public Works as arbitrator. The recently passed River Boards Act Amendment Act makes full provision whereby the Government can overcome the neglect or the dereliction of duty of any River Board. Costs. —While our finding is such that in an ordinary civil case it would result in the appellants being granted costs, we also find that the Waikato River Board is practically without funds, and we consider that the most satisfactory way to apportion the costs will be for the Government to pay the cost of the Commission, while each local body pays the expenses of its own witnesses. In this we are not influenced in any way by the Waikato River Board refusing to appear officially before the Commission. We were materially assisted in our consideration of the various questions by having before us reports, &c, on the river questions of the several dates, &c, as follows :— W. C. Breakell, of 3rd March, 1911. C. D. Kennedy, of 26th November, 1911, Ist June, 1912, 29th August, 1912, 18th March, 1914, and 27th October, 1916. Ashley J. Hunter, of 19th August, 1912, and 10th June, 1916. J. B. Thompson, of 19th August, 1912, and 10th December, 1912. E. Simmonds, proposal for new Akaaka outfall, 16th October, 1916. Extracts from minutes from the Akaaka Drainage Board meeting held 11th May, 1912. Letter from Mr. W. 11. Hamer, M.1.C.E., Engineer to Auckland Harbour Board, re river-levels and canal, 29th September, 1917. Copy of letter from R. 11. Hamilton, 26th September, 1917. Local newspaper cutting of sth August, 1913, quoting" Mr. J. B. Thompson's report and Mr. C. D. Kennedy's reply thereto. Circular by G. G. Hull, Chairman, Akaaka Drainage Board, 26th December, 1916.' Chairman (Mr. Glass), legal opinion by solicitor to Waikato River Board, 24th September, 1917. Copies of these reports are attached. i And this our report, which has been unanimously adopted, we have the honour respectfully to submit for the consideration of Your Excellency in obedience to the Commission addressed to us. Given at Auckland, under our hands and seals, this 3rd day of October, 1917. F. W. Furkert, Chairman of Commission. Chas. R. Vickerman,),-. ■ • «,, ~ '(-Commissioners. Wm. C. Kensington,

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