REPORT ON PETITION OF SIXTY MEN OF THE 1st WAIKATO REGIMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume III, Issue 898, 29 September 1866, Page 5

REPORT ON PETITION OF SIXTY MEN OF THE Ist WAIKATO REGIMENT.

The Petition is in accordance with. Standing Orders, | aiid it is signod by (30 men of the Ist Waikato Regiment, stationed at Hnrapipi in the Upper VV'aikAta District. It contains a complaint that the Petitioners arc threatened to be kept on further service for an unlimited time against their express wish, although their period of service has expired, and the Petitioner* pr»y that tju House will ensure to them their .imrnediitte discharge and the possession of their lands. Tho Committee have examined the Defence Minister and the letter book pf the Defence Office, and they are of opinion that the complaint of the Petitioners is not strictly in accordance with facts.; At the same time the GomfnittHO direct me to report that tne great delay in locating the Petitioners upon, their lunds, is not only a violation of the. agreement under which thev are enlisted, but that it entails hardship upon the Petitioners, and a pecuniary, burden upon the Colony which it is unable to bear. lam also directed to observe that there does not exist in the case of the Petitioner?., the same hindrance, to the completion of the surveys of. the laud which it is prpposod to assign to the Petitioners, as exists in the case of the Tarariaki Military Settlers and the Patea District, and that consequently there ia, ao apparent justification of the delay of w;bich. the Petitioners complain. . J.. CsiCBOKT Wilson, 0.8., Chairman.