REPORTS OF LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mr. A.W. HOGG, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, I-05

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1903. NE W ZEALAND.

REPORTS OF LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mr. A.W. HOGG, Chairman.)

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

ORDER OP REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 3rd day of July, 1903. Ordered, "That Standing Order No. 211 be suspended, and that a Committee, consisting of twenty members, be appointed 'to consider all Bills and petitions that may be introduced into this House affecting the lands of the Crown, and to report generally upon the principles and provisions which they contain ; with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bonnet, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Ell, Mr. Flatman, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hall, Mr. Harding, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Lang, Mr. Laurenson, Mr. Lawry, Mr. R. McKenzie, Mr. McLachlan, Mr. Symes, Mr! J. W. Thomson, Mr. Vile, Mr. Witty, Mr. Wood, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Duncan.)

INDEX.

No. Name. Page. No. Name. Pago. 165 151 Aikin, James, and others Bain, Edward Ballot System, The Beattie, James Bills, — Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Crown Grants Act Amendment (No. 2) Crown Tenants' Rent Rebate Act Amendment Land Act Amendment Public Domains Act Amendment Sand-drift (No. 2) .. Blagden, Charles, and others Brown, Patrick a 2 6 2 887 176 685 649 Henley, Mrs. Abbey Holland, James Hudson, Josiah, and others Hughes, S. C. 8 3 G 5 36 308 719 Johns, W. E., and others Jones, J. Gordon-, and others 3 7 91-1 •A 5 .45-1 10-1 818 Katterns, W.J. 7 l47-2 L60-1 96-2 504 624 5 5 5 3 4 7 439 784 Lasson, C, and others Letts, M. W., and others 5 T 768 449 493 168 569 306 137 812 Campbell, Alexander Chadwick, Wilfred, and others (No. 1) .. Chadwick, Wilfred, and others (No. 2) .. Cbeal, P. E. .. Clelland, John, and others Cochran, A., jun., and others Courtney, W. .. Craven, T. A., and others 5 4 4 2 4 3 3 6 97 076 202 681 518 190 821 57 305 455 Martin, H. T., and others Masters, E. M., and others Matheson, John, and others Matthews, A. F. Moir, James, and others Murray, L. W., and others McCarthy, _., and others MoClosky, A. M. McCormick, James, and others .. Mcllraith, James [ McKeown, Arthur \ McKeown, Arthur 2 6 3 (i 1 2 6 2 :-! 4 5 7 656 309 167 668 de Loitte, Edward de N. Downs, T. F., and others Draper, George Ward 4 2 6 166 Nisbet, L., and others 2 648 Ogle, George, and others 6 722 Edson, J. L., and others 6 338 713 469 Parsons, W. F., and others Pilkington, John James Pollock, James, and others 3 5 5 462 522 Freeman, John W. Fuller, Walter 7 4 4 i 7 2 665 (Robertson, William "(Robertson, William 6 7 391 565 719 164 Gibson, Walter Gifford, John .. Gordon-Jones, J. Gubb, J. A. .. 733 412 218 Shostrum, A , and others Smith, W. J., and others Stembridge, J. T\, and others .. 6 4 3 589 732 317 752 503 Haggarty, Patrick Hammond, Horace, and others Harnett, P. L., and McCauley (No. 1) .. Harnett, P. L., and McCauley (No. 2) .. Hayter, James, and others 6 6 3 5 1 414 Urquhart, P., and others 4 41 189 Wilson, A., and others Wilson, George A., and others .. 2 3

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REPORTS.

Quorum. The Lands Committee has the honour to recommend that its quorum be increased from three to five. 15th July, 1903.

No. 36. —Petition of James Beattie, of Waikaka, Otago. Petitionee prays for money compensation for loss of certain privileges. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee for consideration. 23rd July, 1903.

No. 41.—Petition of A. Wilson and Others, Birkenhead, Auckland. Petitionees pray for a grant of £400 for road-making purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that this petition be referred to Government for consideration. 23rd July, 1903.

No. 168. —Petition of P. B. Cheal, Authorised Surveyor, Auckland. Petitionee prays for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in partially surveying Maungapapa No. 2 Block, in the Mokau district. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the matter be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, as they consider Mr. Cheal lost the money claimed (£ll4 4s. 9d.) owing to an error made by an official of the Native Land Court at Auckland. 23rd July, 1903.

No. 57. —Petition of Alexandee M. McClosky, Wellington. Petitionee prays for redress for loss sustained through land which he settled on at Hokianga being misrepresented by the Lands Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1903.

No.' 97.—Petition of H. T. Maetin and Others, Tangawahia, Auckland. Petitionees pray for a grant of £300 for road-making purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 6th August, 1903.

No. 151. —Petition of Edwaed Bain, Owharoa, Auckland. Petitionee prays for redress in connection with his title to certain land in Ohinemuri. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends this petition be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. 6th August, 1903.

No. 164.—Petition of J. A. Gubb and Others. Petitionees pray for a grant of £100 for road-making purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 6th August, 1903.

Nos. 165, 166, and 167. —Petitions of James Aikin and Others, Tokatoka; Louis Nisbet and Others, Arapohue; and T. P. Downs and Others, Tokatoka. Petitionees pray for a grant of £1,000 for forming and metalling the Tokatoka-Mangapai Eoad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th August, 1903.

No. 190. —Petition of L. W. Mueeay and Others, Tokarahi, Otago. Petitionees pray that Crown tenants be accorded the privilege of electing a proportion of members of the Land Boards of the colony. I am directed to report that, as the question is one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1903.

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No. 137. —Petition of W. Couetney, New Plymouth. Petitionee prays for redress for land taken from him by the Taranaki Land Board under arbitrary conditions. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government with a recommendation that the wishes of the Land Board to remit a portion of the rent forfeited be given effect to. 13th August, 1903.

No. 176. —Petition of James Holland, Kaiapoi. Petitionee prays for compensation for shortage of land under Land Transfer title. I am directed to reDort that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 13th August, 1903.

No. 189.—Petition of Geoeoe A. Wilson and Others, Hunua. Petitionees pray for a grant of money to complete a dray-road in the Hunua district. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for favourable consideration. 20th August, 1903.

No. 202.—Petition of John Matheson and Others, Hunua. Petitionees pray that a sum of £550 be placed on the estimates for road-making purposes in the Opaheke Boad District. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for favourable consideration. 20th August, 1903.

No. 338.—Petition of W. P. Parsons and Others, Buapekapeka. Petitionees pray for a grant of £350 for the completion of the Hukerenui-Waiotu Valley Boad to the railway-station. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for favourable consideration. 20th August, 1903.

Bush and Swamp Ceown Lands Settlement Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Bush and Swamp Crown Lands Settlement Bill by the Hon. the Speaker, returns it to the House, having no recommendation to make. 20th August, 1903.

Sand-dbift (No. 2) Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Sand-drift (No. 2) Bill, have the honour to report that it had carefully considered the said Bill, and it recommends that the same be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown in the copy attached hereto. 28th August, 1903.

No. 218.—Petition of J. T. Stembeidge and Others, Hunua. Petitionees pray for a grant of £300 to form and metal Whisky Creek Boad, Hunua District. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1903.

No. 306. —Petition of A. Cochean, Jun., and Others, Waikumete. Petitionees pray for a grant of money to make roads in Waikumete Biding, Waitemata County. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 28th August, 1903.

No. 308.—Petition oi W. E. Johns and Others, Upper Waiwera. Petitionees pray for a grant of £700 for road purposes at Upper Waiwera. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 28th August, 1903.

No. 317. —Petition of P. L. Haenett and Another, Lower Hutt (No. 1). Petitionees ask for completion of contract for sale of land at Western Hutt, or compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 28th August, 1903.

No. 305.—Petition of James McCormick, Settler, Thames. Petitioner prays for relief from forfeiture of section at Te Aroha. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1903.

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No. 412. —Petition of W. J. Smith and Others. Petitionees pray for a subsidy of £1 for £1 for main roads, Baglan district. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to Government for favourable consideration. 4th September, 1903.

No. 414. —Petition of D. Uequhaet and Others. Petitionees pray for the immediate completion of the Bendigo-Matakanui Boad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 4th September, 1903.

No. 455. —Petition of James Mclleaith. Petitionee prays that the Land Act may be amended so that relief may be given by the Crown under certain circumstances. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1903.

No. 309.—Petition of Edwaed de Noilles de Loitte. Petitionee prays for a section of land gazetted to his father in 1840. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1903.

Nos. 449 and 493.—Petitions of Wilpeed Chadwick and Others (Nos. 1 and 2), Aratapu. Petitionees pray for a grant of £500 for road-making purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that a subsidy of £1 for £1 be granted, and that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 29th September, 1903.

No. 503.—Petition of James Haytee and Others, Buapekapeka. Petitionees pray for a grant of £100 for road-making purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1903.

No. 504.—Petition of Chaeles Blagden and Others, Bay of Islands. Petitionees pray for assistance in draining the Wairua Basin. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1903.

No. 518.—Petition of James Moie and Others, Puhoi. Petitionees pray for a road grant of £100. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 29th September, 1903.

No. 522.—Petition of Waltee Fullee, Kerikeri. Petitionee prays for assistance towards the cost of fencing a road. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 29th September, 1903.

No. 565. —Petition of John Gifford. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of land. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Public Petitions A to L Committee for consideration. 29th September, 1903.

No. 569. —Petition of John Clelland and Others, Chatham Islands. Petitionees pray that certain land in the Chatham Islands be opened for close settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Landpurchase Inspector for favourable consideration. 29th September, 1903.

No. 391.—Petition of Walter Gibson, Kaikoura. Petitionee prays for refund of rent. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. Ist October, 1903.

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No. 469. —Petition of James Pollock and 59 Others, Wendonside. Petitioners pray that the land held by the Otago School Commissioners should be administered by the Waste Lauds Board. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government with a request that inquiry be made as to the class of leases granted to tenants under public bodies, with a view to introducing a uniform system. Ist October, 1903.

Public Domains Act Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Public Domains Act Amendment Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the said Bill, and it recommends that the same be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown in the copy attached hereto. 2nd October, 1903.

Ceown Geants Act Amendment Bill (No. 2). The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Crown Grants Act Amendment Bill (No. 2), has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the said Bill, and it recommends that the same be allowed to proceed without amendment. Bth October, 1903.

Ceown Tenants' Bent Bebate Act Amendment Bill. THE.Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Crown Tenants' Bent Bebate Act Amendment Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the said Bill, and it recommends that the same be allowed to proceed, with the amendment shown in the copy attached hereto. Bth October, 1903.

No. 649. —Petition of S. C. Hughes, Shelly Beach Eoad, Auckland. Petitioner prays for reinstatement and confirmation of title to certain land. I am directed to report that the Committee is satisfied that the petitioner, Mr. Hughes, has established a just and equitable claim to the section of land described in his petition, and recommends the Government to give legislative effect as early as possible to the prayer of the petition. 9th October, 1903.

No. 768.—Petition of Alexander Campbell, Dunedin. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of land. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to Government for favourable consideration. 27th October, 1903.

No. 713. —Petition of John James Pilkington, School-teacher, Porirua. Petitioner prays that clause 22 of the Land Act Amendment Bill be not passed. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the prayer of the petition be considered in connection with amending land legislation. 4th November, 1903.

No. 752. —Petition of P. L. Haknett, Laud Agent, ana M. McCauley, Farmer, Lower Hutt. Petitioners pray that an arrangement for the sale of part of the Western Hutt Estate be carried out, and that certain money be paid petitioners. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th November, 1903.

No. 439. —Petition of C. Lasson and Others, Settlers, of Waiowaka. Petitioners pray that a frontage be granted them. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 13th November, 1903.

No. 656. —Petition of Arthur McKeown, Parmer, Pihama. Petitioner prays for compensation for legal expenses paid owing to the action of the Public Trustee. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, although the petitioner has no claim against the colony, at least a portion of the costs he incurred should, under the circumstances, be recouped out of the funds in the hands of the Public Trustee under the West Coast Settlements Act. 13th November, 1903.

Land Act Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Lands Act Amendment Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the said Bill, and it recommends that the same be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown in the copy attached hereto. 13th November, 1903.

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No. 589. —Petition of Patrick Haggarty, Kimbolton. Petitioner prays for a section of land in exchange for another given him for service as a British soldier. I am directed to report that the Committee has "no recommendation to make. 18th November, 1903.

No. 648.—Petition of George Ogle and Others, Tauhoa. Petitionees pray for a grant of £200 for the Te Pahi-Tauhou Boad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th November, 1903.

No 665.—Petition of William Robertson, Sandymount. Petitioner prays for compensation for land taken for roads. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 18th November, 1903.

No. 668. —Petition of Geoege Waed Deafer, Milton. Petitionee prays for relief in connection with the closing of a road. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 18th November, 1903.

No. 676. —Petition of E. M. Masters and Others, Kaitaia. Petitionees pray for a grant of £2,000 for metalling the main road to Kaitaia Butter-factory. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th November, 1903.

No. 681. —Petition of A. P. Matthews, Gisborne. Petitionee prays for settlement of claim for £386 4s. 2d., for triangulation work. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th November, 1903.

No. 685. —Petition of Josiah Hudson and Others, Dome Valley, Warkworth. Petitionees pray for a grant of £500 for the Warkworth-Tauhoa Boad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 18th November, 1903.

Nos. 722 and 812.—Petitions of J. L. Edson and 32 Others and T. A. Ceaven and 35 Others, Tokatoka. Petitionees pray for a grant of money to more effectually drain the Tokatoka Swamp, and for inquiry into the manner in which the work has been carried out. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that petitions be forwarded to Government with a recommendation that inquiry be made into the manner in which the drainageworks have been constructed, with the view of adjusting the liability of the settlers and placing the works in a state of repair previous to handing them over to the local authority. 18th November, 1903.

Nos. 732 and 733. —Petitions of Hoeace Hammond and Others and A. Shostecm and Others, Davgaville. Petitioners pray that no more Crown lands be sold. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the petitions be referred to the Government. 18th November, 1903.

No. 821.—Petitions of M. McCaeth* and Others, Brighton. Petitionees pray that restrictions should be removed from a block of land in Brighton District. I am directed to report that the Committee considers that, subject to the approval of the Warden, the land should be made available for settlement as soon as possible. 18th November, 1903.

Land-ballot System. Youe Committee, having carefully considered the reports and suggestions of the Surveyor-General and Commissioners of Crown Lands on the land-ballot system, has the honour to recommend, — 1. That the Land Boards should be required and empowered to make full inquiry in the case of every applicant with regard to the following matters : (1) Experience, needs, requirements, and

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suitability ; (2) ability to work and utilise land; (3) capability to fulfil conditions of lease; (4) capital, plant, stock, and other aids for working the land; (5) condition in life, whether married or single and the number of persons dependent upon him, whether landless or otherwise, and as to any other matter affecting the applicant and his application. 2. The Board should be empowered to give preference and priority to applications from (a) married men, widowers, widows, and women judicially separated from their husbands, with families, who are capable and suitable, by reason of possessing the necessary experience and means (including labour-power of family) and who are not only landless but really in need of land, (b) married men without families, with the necessary experience and other qualifications, (c) single men possessing the necessary experience and other qualifications, (d) applicants who have most frequently unsuccessfully applied at previous Government ballots. 3. The Board should also be empowered to reject any application (especially where the number of applicants exceeds the number of allotments available) including those of persons with sufficient means to acquire land in the open market; inexperienced, unsuitable, or undesirable persons; those not absolutely in need of land as a means of support; and those incapable of utilising the same to the best advantage ; married women whose husbands already hold sufficient land ; more than one member of a family ; those who had secured an allotment at a previous ballot or sale; and the former owner of the land, his relatives and connections. 4. The Board should further be empowered to disallow an application for an allotment which, in the Board's opinion, is beyond the requirements, means, capability, or experience of the applicant. 5. Your Committee is also of opinion that in the case of Crown lands reasonable provision might be made for enabling men in business, artisans, and workmen to select and hold land if they are prepared to improve the same with the view of making provision for themselves and their families. It is considered that where such persons are able to comply with the other conditions exemption from residence might be granted, extending over a limited term of years, at the discretion of the Board and with the authority of the Minister. Provided that in all such cases the residential conditions are complied with by a registered substitute. 20th November, 1903.

No. 462. —Petition of John William Feeeman. Petitionee prays for a grant of land as a discharged soldier. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make 21st November, 1903.

No. 624. —Petition of Pateick Brown. Petitioner prays for 5 acres of land he did not receive for military services. I am directed to report that, as petitioner had accepted compensation in cash for any deficiency, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st November, 1903.

No. 656.—Petition of Arthur McKeown, Farmer, Pihama. (Second Beport.) Petitionee prays for compensation for legal expenses paid owing to the action of the Public Trustee. I am directed to report that the Lands Committee, to whom was referred its first report for reconsideration, has the honour to recommend that the petition be forwarded to the Government with a recommendation that a speedy and equitable settlement be made. 21st November, 1903.

No. 665.—Petition of William Bobeetson, Sandymount. (Second Beport.) Petitionee prays for compensation for land taken for roads. I am directed to report that the Lands Committee, to whom was referred its first report for reconsideration, has the honour to recommend that the matter be allowed to remain over till next session, in order to give petitioner the opportunity of appearing before the Committee. 21st November, 1903.

No. 719. —Petition of J. Goedon-Jones and Others. Petitionees pray for relief in connection with their tenure of the Punakitere lands. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 21st November, 1903.

No. 784.—Petition of M. W. Letts, and 50 Others. Petitionees pray for a grant of £1,000 for repairs to the Pakanae-Waimamamaka Boad. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 21st November, 1903.

No. 818.—Petition of W. J. Katteens. Petitionee prays for inquiry into certain land transactions in Katikati. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends the matter be left to the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Land Board, Auckland, to deal with. 21st November, 1903.

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No. 887. —Petition of Mrs. Abbey Henley. Petitionee prays for relief, not having access to her section. I am directed to report that, as it appears the petitioner has not been provided with reasonable access to her land, the Committee is of opinion that "the forfeiture should be rescinded, and recommends that the Land Board be advised to reconsider its decision. 21st November, 1903. Approximate Gout of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,250 copies), £i 7s, 6d.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3 Price 6d.]