REPORTS OF WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mr. R. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1897 Session II, I-05

L—s

SESS. 11.—1897. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS OF WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mr. R. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Bouse of Representatives. Wednesday, the 3rd Day of November, 1897. Ordered, " That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all Bills and petitions that may bo introduced into this House affecting the waste lands of the Crown, and to report generally upon the principles and provisions which thoy contain, with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by tho Legislative Council, and agree to a joint or soparate report; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records; three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Dunoan, Mr. Field, Mr. Gilfedder, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Lang, Hon. Mr. W. Rolleston, Mr. Wason, Mr. R. Thompson, Mr. J. W. Thomson, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie.)

TIIUBSDAY, THE 14TH DAY OF OCTOBEB, 1897. Ordered, " That the New Zealand Institute of Survoyora Bill bo referred to the Waste Lands Committee." (Mr. Field.)

Thursday, the 11th Day of Novembee, 1897. Ordered, " That the petitions of Joseph Thome and others and John Thompson be referred to the Waste Lands Committee."—(Mr. Meredith.)

Wednesday, the Ist Day op Decembeb, 1897. Ordered, " That the Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill and the Joseph Houston Land-grant Bill bo referred to the Waste Lands Committee."—(Hon. Mr. J. McKjcnzie.)

INDEX.

I—l. 5.

to. Potitions, &c. Page. 90 21 .95 !42 .22 B. Bailloe, Henry, and Others Baldwin, Thomas, and Others Bates, Russell Bayer, Fritz, and Others Bradey, F., and Others .. 2 2 2 4 2 c. 2 4 3 .85 S88 118 Campbell, A. Chadwin, William, and Others .. Cox, E. Y., and Others .. .80 149 il6 .43 D. Davis, William, and Others Darlow, Robert, and Others Dickson, William, and Others Draper, George Ward .. 2 3 i 3 E. Erueti, M. T., and Others 4 48 F. 5 146 Fitzgerald, John G. Gray, W. J., and Others .. 4 01 H. 2 2 4 3 18 56 38 .84. Hamilton, John G. Harris, A. R., and Others Hatfield, A. J., and Others Haworth, E. R. A., and Others .. J. Joseph Houston Land-grant Bill .. 4

No. Petitions, &c. Page, L. 316 Lambert, James Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill 5 4 100 240 32 107 M. Maidman, Henry, and Another Mason, G. F., and Others Masters, Leonard, and Others Meikle, William, and Othors 3 4 4 3 34 226 100 N. New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill .. Nicholson, A., and Others Nicoll, Robert, and Others Norman, Richard, and Another 3 5 4 3 243 o. O'Donovan, Richard, and Others 18 P. Pollok Settlement Road Board .. 2 183 R. 3 Riesterer, Lorenz 244 310 31 s. Scarlett, William, and Others.... Smyth, Hibernia Stansfield, Squire W., and Others 5 5 2 39 113 T. 8 3 Thompson, John Thorne, Joseph, and Others 186 74 220 277 w. Wagner, E., and Others West, W. L., and Others Wilkinson, John Worthington, Henry, and Others.. 2 3 5

2

1.—5

No. 18. —Petition of John G. Hamilton, Chairman, Pollok Settlement Eoad Board. Petitioner prays that the sum of £350 be granted by the Government for the purpose of improving the main road running through the Pollok Settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 9th November, 1897.

No. 195. —Petition of Eussell Bates, Kai-Iwi, Auckland. Petitioner states that he is a Government tenant of Section 4, Kai-Iwi. He prays that he may be given a right-of-way to the Kahu Valley, as at present he has no means of exit from his farm. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

No. 122. —Petition of P. Bradey and 55 Others, Okahu, Hobson County. Petitioners pray that the Government will give a grant of £500 to assist in rendering the MititaiTokatoka Eoad passable for vehicles. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

No. 31.—Petition of Squire W. Stansfibld and Others, Avoca, Hobson County. Petitioners pray Government will grant a sum of money to make the road through the Avoca Special Settlement passable for traffic. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

No. 186.—Petition of B. Wagner and Others, Opaheke Eoad Board. Petitioners pray for monetary assistance from the Government to repair the road connecting the Opaheke District with the Great South Eoad and the railway-line at Drury. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

No. 56.—Petition of A. B. Harris and 11 Others, Pukekohe. Petitioners pray that the Government will either take over the thirty-two miles of road from Otahuhu to beyond Mercer, or give a sum of money to keep it in repair. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

No. 185. —Petition of A. Campbell, Dunedin. Petitioner prays compensation for loss of his land at Table Hill, which he failed to purchase prior to the expiration of his lease in 1877. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. 12th November, 1897.

No. 130. —Petition of William Davis and 15 Others, Otara, Southland. Petitioneks pray that the Land Act may bo amended in such a way as to give them relief in their leaseholds in the Otara District. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that, if the Land Act were so amended as to give Crown tenants on bush laud the option of having their rent capitalised for the first three or four years and added to the value of the land, it would greatly facilitate settlement and meet the requirements of the petitioners. 12th November, 1897.

No. 90. —Petition of Hbnby Bailleb and 449 Others. Petitioners pray that the Moa Flat Station, containing 68,000 acres, be acquired by the Government and cut up for settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

No. 21. —Petition of Thomas Baldwin and 9 Others, of Eauakitere. Petitioners pray that Government will take over 1,250 acres of land known as the " Auckland Endowment," and cut it up for settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th November, 1897.

3

1.—6

No. 183.—Petition of Loeenz Riesteeeb, Cuba Street, Wellington. Petitioner prays for compensation for losses sustained through his land having been confiscated by the Auckland Land Board. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. 12th November, 1897.

No. 143.—Petition of George Waed Draper, Ratanui, Otago. Petitioner prays for compensation for losses sustained by the closing of a road leading to his farm at Ratanui. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. 12th November, 1897.

The New Zealand Institute of Surveyors Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom the above-mentioned Bill was referred, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and they recommend that the Bill as amended be allowed to proceed. 16th November, 1897.

No. 107. —Petition of William Meikle and 39 Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £250 to assist in repairing the road between Henderson and Swan son. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 16th November, 1897.

No. 113. —Petition of Joseph Thorne and 357 Others, Parnell, Auckland. Petitioners pray that a piece of land situate at Blackett's Point, Auckland, now vested in the Public Trustee, may be handed over to the Borough of Parnell for the purposes of a recreationground. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that there is nothing to prevent the matter being settled between the Parnell Borough and the Public Trustee. The Committee, therefore, have no recommendation to make. 16th November, 1897.

No. 39.—Petition of John Thompson, Kaipara Flats, Rodney County. Petitioner claims compensation for loss sustained through his land having been resurveyed by the Government. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. 16th November, 1897.

No. 184.—Petition of E. R. A. Hawoeth and 43 Others, Ngatimaru, Clifton County. Petitioners pray that the Ngatimaru Junction Road may bo included in the schedule to the Local Government Bill about to bo presented to the House. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to Government for consideration. 16th November, 1897.

No. 100.—Petition of Richard Nobman and Heney Maidman, Mount Barker. Petitioners pray that their leasehold farms, situate at Mount Barker, in the Lower Wanaka District, may be converted into freehold properties free of charge to the occupiers. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 16th November, 1897.

No. 213.—Petition of B. Y. Cox and 213 Others, Shaftesbury. Petitioners pray that a bridge may be placed across the Waihou River. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 16th November, 1897.

No. 249. —Petition of Robeet Daelow and Others, Kawhia. Petitioners pray for assistance to repair the road between Pirongia and Kawhia. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 74. —Petition of W. L. West and Others. Petitioners pray that a subsidy be granted towards repairing the bridge over the tramway between Puni and Pukekohe. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

1.—5

4

No. 240.—Petition of G. P. Mason and Others. Petitioners pray that a sum of money may be granted to metal the road between Raetihi and Ohakune. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 242.—Petition of Fritz Bayer and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £50 to assist in forming a bridle-track to their homesteads. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 104.—Petition of W. J. Gray and Others. Petitioners pray for Government assistance to complete the road between the East Coast settlements and the Waikato. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 32.—Petition of Leonard Masters and Others. Petitioners ask for a grant of money to assist in draining Tangonge Lake, in Kaitaia and Ahipara Districts. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 38.—Petition of A. J. Hatfield and Others. Petitioners ask for assistance to repair the Wainui-Kaukapakapa Road. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 216.—Petition of William Dickhon and Others. Petitioners pray that a sum of money may be granted to maintain the main road from Dunedin to Cape Saunders. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition bo referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 226.—Petition of Eobeet Niooll and Others. Petitioners recommend that Mrs. E. Ryder, of Hamilton, whose husband was killed when in the employment of the Government, should be granted either a remission of her rent or a compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 48.—Petition of M. T. Eeueti and Others. Petitioners pray that a grant of money may be given them to form a road through Sections 1 to 11, Block B, Otago Heads Native Reserve. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be- referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

No. 233. —Petition of William Chadwin and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £500 to assist in opening up and forming a road known as the Maungaturoto-Waikiekie Eoad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist December, 1897.

The Joseph Houston Land-grant Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom the above-mentioned Bill was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they have duly considered same, and they recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendment as set forth on the annexed copy of the Bill. 9th December, 1897.

The Land for Settlements Act Amendment Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom the above-mentioned Bill was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they have duly considered same, and recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as set forth on the annexed copy of the Bill. 9th December, 1897.

5

1.—5

No. 245.—Petition of John Fitzgerald, Mangahua. Petitioner prays compensation for loss sustained by the flooding of his land caused by the erection of a railway-bridge and embankment. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Railways Committee for consideration. 14th December, 1897.

No. 277.—Petition of Henry Worthington and Others, Whangarei. Petitioners pray that the sum of £500 may be granted to open up and form a road known as the Maungaturoto and Waikiekie Road. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th December, 1897.

No. 243. —Petition of Eichard O'Donovan and Others, New Plymouth. Petitioners pray,— (1) That the leases of bush land held under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act be converted into leases in perpetuity; (2) that revenue be set apart during the early years of settlement under said Act for the making and improvement of roads. I am directed to report that the Committee do not consider the pstitioners have any claim a3 against the trust; but from evidence given to the Committee they are led to ths conclusion that the petitioners might attain their object in respect of roads by an extension of the oparations of the Loans to Local Bodies Act. 15th December, 1897.

No. 34.—Petition of A. Nicholson and Others, Okaihau. Petitioners pray that the sum of £250 be granted by the Government to assist in making a road between Okaihau and Kerikeri. I am directed to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th December, 1897.

No. 316. —Petition of Jambs Lambert, Maharahara, Woodville. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss sustained by severance of his land and extra fencing, caused by the Government taking a railway through his property. I am directed to report that the Committee, having already recommended a similar petition irom the same person in 1894 to the favourable consideration of the Government, recommend the department to deal equitably with the petitioner's claim: Provided he has not already received due consideration in respect of severance and fencing of his land. 15th December, 1897.

No. 244. —Petition of William Scarlett and Others. Petitioners state they are tenants of the Crown on the Pomahaka Estate. They pray for a reduction of their rents. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion, from evidence received, that the circumstances of the petitioners, and of the rents paid by them, show that a full investigation should be undertaken by the Government forthwith. 16th December, 1897.

No. 310. —Petition of Hibebnia Smyth. Petitioner prays that a road may be made connecting his land with the Henderson Valley Boad. I am directed to report that the Committee have no recommendation to make upon this petition. 16th December, 1897.

No. 220. —Petition of John Wilkinson, Shannon. Petitioner prays redress for loss of survey-fee—£4s—through alleged mistake of the officers of the Native Land Court. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Native Affairs Committee for consideration. 16th December, 1897. Approximate Goat of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,250 copies), £3.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB97. Price 6d.]

2—l. 5.