19

H.—43.

mission by the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908, and by these presents, in the same manner as if each of them had been separately appointed a Commission by these presents, .and may summon witnesses and hear evidence accordingly; save that every report, made in pursuance of these presents shall be made by the Chairman of the Board, notwithstanding the fact that the inquiry on which the report is based may have been held before one or more of the members separately. And 1 do further declare, with the like advice and consent, that these presents are issued under and subject to the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1908. And 1 do further declare, with the like advice and consent, that these presents shall continue in full force and effect although the inquiries of the Board are not regularly continued from time to time or from place to place by adjournment; and, for the better enabling the Board to carry these presents into effect, the members thereof are hereby jointly and severally authorized and empowered to make inquiries under these presents at such times and places in the said Dominion as they may deem expedient, with power to adjourn from time to time and place to place as they may think fit, and to call before them and examine on oath (or otherwise as may be allowed by law) such persons as they may think capable of affording them information in the premises; and the said members are also jointly and severally empowered to call for and examine all such documents as they may deem likely to afford them information on the subject-matter under inquiry, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all lawful means whatsoever; and, using all diligence, they are required to report to me under their hands from time to time touching all matters wherein they may make inquiry in pursuance of these presents. And I do hereby, with the like advice and consent, declare that, these presents shall remain in force until revoked by Order in Council or until the expiration of twelve months after the termination of the present war with Germany, whichever first happens. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Arthur William do 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 Buildings at Wellington, this twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventeen. J. Allen, Approved in Council. Acting Prime Minister. F. W. Furry, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.