D.—4a

Session 11. 1921. NEW ZEALAND.

PALMERSTON NORTH RAILWAY FACILITIES COMMISSION (REPORT OF), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE, ETC.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

COMMISSION TO INQUIRE INTO AND REPORT RESPECTING THE FACILITIES FOR THE CONDUCT OF RAILWAY BUSINESS AT PALMERSTON NORTH. Jellicob, Governor-General. To all to whom these presents shall come, and to William Mow at Hannay, Esquire, of Wellington; James Marchbanks, Esquire, of Wellington ; and Alfred Henry Miles, Esquire, of Wellington : Greeting. Whereas it is desirable that inquiry should be made respecting the sufficiency and suitability of the facilities now existing at Palmerston North for the conduct of the business of the Government Railways Department: Now, therefore, I, John Rushworth, Viscount Jellicoe, Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand, 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, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, do hereby constitute and appoint yon, the said— William Mowat Hannay, James Marchbanks, and Alfred Henry Miles to be a Commission to inquire into and report upon the following matters : — 1. Whether the facilities now existing at Palmerston North for the conduct of the business of the Government Railways Department are sufficient and suitable for that purpose. 2. If such facilities are not sufficient or arc not suitable for such purpose, what alterations therein (whether in respect of situation or otherwise howsoever) are necessary and desirable and best adapted to enable the business of the said Department to be carried on with the greatest degree of safety, efficiency, economy, and convenience. And, with the like advice and consent, I do further appoint you, the said William Mowat Hannay to be the Chairman of the said Commission. And, for the purpose'of 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 such books, papers, plans, writings, documents, or records

I_D. 4a.