LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). (Mr. DUNCAN, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1906 Session II, I-05

1.—5

Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND.

LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF). (Mr. DUNCAN, Chairman.)

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 24th Day of August, 1906. Ordered "That a Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to whom shall stand referred after their Mr. Hall, Mr. Jennings, Mr. Laurenson, Mr. Malcolm, Mr. Witty, and the mover.' -(Hon. Mr. McNab.) Tuesday, the 11th Day of September, 1906. Ordered " That the number of the members of the Lands Committee be increased to fifteen by the addition of the followingVames Mr. Ell, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Mills, and Mr. Kirkbnde."-(Hon. Mr. McNab.) i

INDEX.

Page. No. Name. Page. No. - Name. 30 30 648 Allan, Thomas, and others Allan, Thomas, and others Arbuckle, J. C, and others ■> 2 I 82(2) 59 Land Act Amendment Bill Leslie, A. F., and others 2 •2 649 82(2) 103(1) Bennetts, John, and others Bills, Land Act Amendment Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Scenery Preservation Amendment .. Waimate Agricultural Reserve Bryce, Hon. John Business of Committee published in certain newspapers I 2 4 320 431 430 91 Macdonald, Alexander, and others McKenzie, W., and others McKinlay, J. B., and others Mete, Tiemi :s :i 2 3 :t :s 2 8 O'Shea Bros. :s 142(1) 75(1) 72 301 Porritt, E. W., and others 4 103(1) Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering 4 040 186 Clayton, Charles Cripps, T. .. 4 ■4 142(1) 151 Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill .. Spackman, L. H., and others 167 5 400 Darley, William .. • • . Davis, E. ( and others.. Dwyer, M. J., and others 2 r> 4 50 153 Thomson, Allan Tizard, E. F. ■2 :! 108 Ussher, Mrs. A. S. 3 135 Findlay, C, and others 3 3 75(1) 432 282 433 104 Waimate Agricultural Resorve Walker R., and others Walsh, John Winmill, H., and others Wratt, J. E., and others :s :! :s •2 79 Oale, T. E. T. 050 Johnston, James A., and others 4

1.—5

2

EEPOETS.

No. 91.—Petition of Tiemi Mete, of Nuhaka, in the County of .Wairoa. Petitioner prays for cancellation of forfeiture of Section 4, Block VIII, Nuhaka. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that legislation be introduced this session to reinstate the petitioner in possession of his land. 12th September, 1906. No. 30.—Petition of Thomas Allan and 35 Others, Kitchener Hamlet, Auckland. 12th September, 1906. Petitioners pray for alteration in the law to give them the right of purchase of their sections. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 12th September, 1906. No. 167.—Petition of William Darlet, Farmer, of Eastern Bush, Southland. Petitioner prays that his name be removed from the petition (No. 5) of Edward Davis and others in favour of John Kynaston, of.Orawia, Merrivale, Southland. I am directed to report that the petitioner's name has been removed accordingly. 12th September, 1906. No. 50.—Petition of Allan Thomson, of Te Puna, near Tauranga. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of road to his section. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for consideration, and that the attention of the Hon. the Minister for Public Works be drawn to the fact that there was a vote on the estimates of the past year (1905) for giving access to the petitioner's section. 12th September, 1906. No. 59.—Petition of A. F. Leslie and 8 Others, of Pnpamoa Settlement, Bay of Plenty. Petitioners pray for a reduction of rent on their holdings. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 12th September, 1906. No. s.—Petition of E. Davis and 191 Others, Merrivale, Southland. Petitioners pray that compensation be granted to John Kynaston for cancellation of his lease and forfeiture of his lease in perpetuity. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th September, 1906. No. 164.—Petition of J. E. Wratt and Others. Petitioners pray for the validation of their land leases in order to secure the value of the improvements made by them. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee. 20th September, 1906. Publication of Business of Committee. I am directed by the Lands Committee to report to the House the following resolution passed by the above Committee, viz.: That, the attention of the Committee having been drawn to the fact that the business of this Committee has been published in certain newspapers, this Committee do report the same to the House. 25th September, 1906. Land Act Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Land Act Amendment Bill, have the honour to report that they have carefully considered the same and have taken evidence tEereon, and recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments as set forth in the copy attached hereto. 4th October, 1906. No. 30.—Petition of Thomas Allan and 35 Others, of Kitchener, Methuen, Craddock, Hetana, and Plumer Workmen's Hamlets, Auckland Provincial District. (Second Report.) Petitioners pray for an alteration in the law to give them the right of purchase of their sections. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, 11th October, 1906,

No. 30. —Petition of Thomas Allan and 35 Others, Kitchener Hamlet, Auckland. 12th September, 1906. Petitioners pray for alteration in the law to give them the right of purchase of their sections. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 12th September, 1906.

No. 167. —Petition of William Darley, Farmer, of Eastern Bush, Southland. Petitioner prays that his name be removed from the petition (No. 5) of Edward Davis and others in favour of John Kynaston, of.Orawia, Merrivale, Southland. I am directed to report that the petitioner's name has been removed accordingly. 12th September, 1906.

No. 50.—Petition of Allan Thomson, of Te Puna, near Tauranga. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of road to his section. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for consideration, and that the attention of the Hon. the Minister for Public Works be drawn to the fact that there was a vote on the estimates of the past year (1905) for giving access to the petitioner's section. 12th September, 1906.

No. 59.—Petition of A. F. Leslie and 8 Others, of Papamoa Settlement, Bay of Plenty. Petitioners pray for a reduction of rent on their holdings. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to Government for consideration. 12th September, 1906. No. s.—Petition of E. Davis and 191 Others, Merrivale, Southland. Petitioners pray that compensation be granted to John Kynaston for cancellation of his lease and forfeiture of his lease in perpetuity. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th September, 1906.

No. 164.—Petition of J. E. Wratt and Others. Petitioners pray for the validation of their land leases in order to secure the value of the improvements made by them. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee. 20th September, 1906.

Publication of Business of Committee. I am directed by the Lands Committee to report to the House the following resolution passed by the above Committee, viz.: That, the attention of the Committee having been drawn to the fact that the business of this Committee has been published in certain newspapers, this Committee do report the same to the House. 25th September, 1906.

Land Act Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Land Act Amendment Bill, have the honour to report that they have carefully considered the same and have taken evidence tEereon, and recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments as set forth in the copy attached hereto. 4th October, 1906.

No. 30. —Petition of Thomas Allan and 35 Others, of Kitchener, Methuen, Craddock, Hetana, and Plumer Workmen's Hamlets, Auckland Provincial District. (Second Report.) Petitioners pray for an alteration in the law to give them the right of purchase of their sections. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, 11th October, 1906,

3

1.—5

No. 108.—Petition of Mrs. Augusta S. Usshbr, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation for shortage of area of land. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that the deficiency be made up in cash or land. 11th October, 1906.

No. 158. —Petition of E. F. Tizabd, of Birkenhead, Auckland. Petitioner prays for himself and two sons to be allowed to select a moderate area of swamp land on the Piako River for flax-growing purposes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th October, 1906. No. 72.—Petition of the Hon. John Bryce, Wanganui. Petitioner prays for an amendment of the Rating Act. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th October, 1906. No. 135.—Petition of C. Findlay and 15 Others, of the Taieri District. Petitioners pray that they may not be included in the scheme for the drainage of the lower-lying lands on the Taieri Plain. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1906. Nos. 430, 431, 432, and 433.—Petitions of J. B. McKinlay and 15 Others, W. MoKenzie and 65 Others, R. Walker and 34 Others, and H. Winmill and 126 Others, of Lawrence, &c. Petitioners pray that certain land in the Waitahuna district may be acquired for closer settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1906. No. 320.—Petition of Alexander Macdonald and 21 Others, Warea, Taranaki. Petitioners pray that they may not be deprived of land leased by them. I am directed to report that the petition is returned to the House by the Committee at the request of Mr. Smith—-who presented it—with a view to its withdrawal. 22nd October, 1906. Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 23rd October, 1906. Waimate Agricultural Reserve Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Waimate Agricultural Reserve Bill, has carefully considered th« same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 23rd October, 1906. No. B.—Petition of O'Shea Bros., Rawhitiroa. Petitioners pray for an amendment of "The Rotokare Domain Repeal Act, 1903." I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be forwarded to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the attention of the Government be drawn to the fact that cattle are now running in the domain. 26th October, 1906. No. 79.—Petition of T. E. T. Gale, of Palmerston North. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of a certain sum of money. I am directed to report that your Committee has given careful consideration to the above petition, has examined a large number of witnesses, and has come to the conclusion that Mr. Gale, the petitioner, was a simple-minded man who came to this country with the object of becoming a settler; and it appears from the evidence submitted that he obtained a sum of £691 from England for this purpose, and, further, that the evidence shows that £400 of this money was received from

No. 72.—Petition of the Hon. John Bryce, Wanganui. Petitioner prays for an amendment of the Rating Act. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 17th October, 1906.

No. 135. —Petition of C. Findlay and 15 Others, of the Taieri District. Petitioners pray that they may not be included in the scheme for the drainage of the lower-lying lands on the Taieri Plain. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1906.

Nos. 430, 431, 432, and 433.—Petitions of J. B. McKinlay and 15 Others, W. McKenzie and 65 Others, R. Walker and 34 Others, and H. Winmill and 126 Others, of Lawrence, &c. Petitioners pray that certain land in the Waitahuna district may be acquired for closer settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be referred to the Government for consideration. 17th October, 1906.

No. 320.—Petition of Alexander Macdonald and 21 Others, Warea, Taranaki. Petitioners pray that they may not be deprived of land leased by them. I am directed to report that the petition is returned to the House by the Committee at the request of Mr. Smith —who presented it—with a view to its withdrawal. 22nd October, 1906.

Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 23rd October, 1906.

Waimate Agricultural Reserve Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Waimate Agricultural Reserve Bill, has carefully considered th« same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 23rd October, 1906.

No. B.—Petition of O'Shea Bros., Rawhitiroa. Petitioners pray for an amendment of "The Rotokare Domain Repeal Act, 1903." I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be forwarded to the Government for favourable consideration, and that the attention of the Government be drawn to the fact that cattle are now running in the domain. 26th October, 1906.

No. 79.—Petition of T. E. T. Gale, of Palmerston North. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of a certain sum of money. I am directed to report that your Committee has given careful consideration to the above petition, has examined a large number of witnesses, and has come to the conclusion that Mr. Gale, the petitioner, was a simple-minded man who came to this country with the object of becoming a settler; and it appears from the evidence submitted that he obtained a sum of £691 from England for this purpose, and, further, that the evidence shows that £400 of this money was received from

L—s

4

him by the brothers Andrewartha on no security whatever, on a verbal assurance being given that they would recoup the money by work done on his allotment. From the evidence given, the work done on the section was inadequate to pay more than one-half of the sum lent—.£2oo. That Mr. Gale then took legal proceedings to recover this balance, but, owing to the fact that he could be easily induced by counsel to make admissions, judgment was given with costs against him without the five witnesses who, we believe, might have established his case being called on to give evidence. The petitioner was afterwards imprisoned through failure to pay the other side's costs. The Committee is satisfied that advantage has been taken of the petitioner's simplicity, and that he has suffered much hardship thereby. The Committee has been unable to devise any means of relief, but recommends his case to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 151.—Petition of L. H. Spackman and Others, Masterton. Petitioners pray that land be acquired at Masterton for workmen's homes. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 166.—Petition of T. Cripps, Sevenoaks, Masterton. Petitioner prays for exemption-from residence on Section 10, Langdale Estate. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 282.—Petition of John Walsh, Eltham. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss occasioned through cancellation of his lease of part of Rotokare Domain by the passing of " The Rotokare Domain Repeal Act, 1903." I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 361.—Petition of E. W. Porritt and 13 Others, Paeroa, Auckland. Petitioners pray that a strip of land 5 chains wide be reserved as a site for a future railway between Paeroa and Paparata. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 400.—Petition of M. J. Dwyeh and Others, Beaumont Estate, Southland. Petitioners pray for a reduction of rent. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906. No. 640.—Petition of Charles Clayton, Surveyor, Ohinemutu. Petitioner prays for a refund of a portion of rent paid on lease of a pastoral run. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 26th October, 1906. Nos. 648, 649, and 650.—Petitions of J. C. Arbuckle, Auctioneer, Lawrence, and 43 Others; John Bennetts, Roxburgh, and 241 Others; and James A. Johnston, Dunedin, and 79 Others. Petitioners pray for the introduction of legislation for the prevention of the destruction of firstclass agricultural land at Island Block and other places. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be forwarded to the Government for favourable and immediate consideration. 26th October, 1906. Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Reserves and others Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in the attached copy. Approximate unfit nf Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing {1,400 copies), £ 2 10e.

No. 166. —Petition of T. Cripps, Sevenoaks, Masterton. Petitioner prays for exemption -from residence on Section 10, Langdale Estate. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 282. —Petition of John Walsh, Eltham. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss occasioned through cancellation of his lease of part of Rotokare Domain by the passing of " The Rotokare Domain Repeal Act, 1903." I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 361.—Petition of E. W. Porritt and 18 Others, Paeroa, Auckland. Petitioners pray that a strip of land 5 chains wide be reserved as a site for a future railway between Paeroa and Paparata. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 400.—Petition of M. J. Dwyer and Others, Beaumont Estate, Southland. Petitioners pray for a reduction of rent. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 26th October, 1906.

No. 640. —Petition of Charles Clayton, Surveyor, Ohinemutu. Petitioner prays for a refund of a portion of rent paid on lease of a pastoral run. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government. 26th October, 1906.

Nos. 648, 649, and 650.—Petitions of J. C. Arbuckle, Auctioneer, Lawrence, and 43 Others; John Bennetts, Roxburgh, and 241 Others; and James A. Johnston, Dunedin, and 79 Others. Petitioners pray for the introduction of legislation for the prevention of the destruction of firstclass agricultural land at Island Block and other places. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petitions be forwarded to the Government for favourable and immediate consideration. 26th October, 1906.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Reserves and others Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in the attached copy. Approximate unst nf Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing {1,400 copies), £2 10s.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington —1906

Price 3d.]