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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1907 Session I, I-05

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1907. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thubsday, the 11th Day of July, 1907. Ordered, " That Standing Orders Nos. 219 and 339 be suspended, and that a Committee be appointed, consisting of fifteen members, to whom shall stand referred after their first reading all Bills affecting or in any way relating to the lands of the Crown or educational or other public reserves; the Committee shall have power to make such amendments therein as they think proper, and to report generally when necessary upon the principles and provisions of the Bill; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records; three to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of Hon. Mr. Duncan, Mr. Ell, Mr. W. Fraser, Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Lang, Mr. Lawry, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Macpherson, Hon. Mr. Mills, Mr. Remington, Mr. Symes, Mr. Witty, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. McNab.)

INDEX.

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No. Name. Page. 1 No. Name. Page. 299 306 646 197 652 Adams, Charles, and 104 others Anderson, Charles W. Anderton, E. Anson, George E. Ashmore, W. T. :s ■> 2 4 2 861 Johnstone, R. 5 499 Land Laws Amendment Bill Leal, William 2 2 199 71 71 647 677 Bell, Thomas Birch, William Birch, William Bird, Charles • .. Brodie, James R. 6 2 2 2 5 39 649 586 204 683 Mann, D. .. Mclntyre, W. McKenzie, John McLean, Hugh McPhee, William 2 2 3 3 3 496 702 307 Canterbury College Endowment Bill Carrick, R. .. Chambers, W. A. .. Chapman, William .. 5 2 4 2 772 National Endowment Bill Nixon, J. H, and another 5 5698 Orr, D., and 54 others 4 497 364 Dewar, F. M. Donald, James 2 2 Rangitatau Block Exchange Bill Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill 5 6. 308 309 Eason, Charles A. Eason, F. W. 2 2 5 500 Sowxy, E., and 71 others Spence, William 3 2 310 Forsyth, William Final report 2 (i 668 668 Tabor, Mary Theresa Tabor, Mary Theresa Taieri Land Drainage Bill Tizard, E. F. Turner, Charles H. .. Tyler, A. D... ' 2 2 5 4 3 3 713 24 648 Gapes, George Glass, A. G. C. Gray, Thomas 5 2 2 85 587 311 498 340 849 750 837Hammond, R. Harrington, George Hawke, H. A. Henderson, W. F. Hogan, Hanorah 2 2 5 4 6 185 260 Ussher, Augusta S. .. Ussher, Thomas 3 3 684 280 341 Warnock, Robert .. Williams, Elizabeth Wilson, Thomas 4 4 2 •2 Jamieson. William .. 2

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BEPOBTS.

No. 71.—Petition of William Birch, Of Mangawai . Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of land. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make, petitioner not having exhausted his legal remedy. 26th July, 1907.

No. 74. —Petition of A. G. C. Glass, of Hokianga. Pbtitioner prays for redress in connection with the fencing of his land at Hokianga. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th July, 1907.

No. 2.—Petition of William Jamieson, of Christchurch. Petitioner prays for a refund of £101 55., amount of deposit forfeited by the Taranaki Land Board. I am directed to report that this Committee recommends that the- petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view of refunding the whole amount less the small expense caused by delay of payment of deposit. 26th July, 1907.

No. 39.—Petition of D. Mann and 43 Others, of Kokonga. Petitioners pray for the cutting-up of Crown lands in the Swinburn Survey District, Central Otago. I am directed to report that this Committee has no recommendation to make. 26th July, 1907.

Land Laws Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Land Laws Amendment Bill, has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 23rd August, 1907.

No. 71.—Petition of William Birch, of Mangawai. (Second Report.) Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of land. (The previous report on this petition having been referred back by the House for reconsideration.) I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the Government be recommended to send a surveyor for the purpose of defining Mr. Birch's boundaries. 6th September, 1907.

No. 306. —Petition of Charles W. Anderson, of Katea (with 18 similar Petitions as per Schedule attached) . Petitioners pray for relief on account of loss, owing to bush-fires. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, these petitions are worthy of full inquiry, and the Committee recommends they be submitted to the Government for favourable -consideration where the circumstances merit same. 6th September, 1907.

Schedule. No. 307. —Chapman, William, of Katea, Catlin's. No. 497.—Dewar, F. M., of Ratanui, Catlin's. ~ 308. —Eason, Charles A., of Katea, Catlin's. „ 498.—Hammond, R., of Hunt's Road, Catlin's. 309.—Eason, F. W., of Katea, Catlin's. „ 499.—Leal, William, of Ratanui, Catlin's. 310.—Forsyth, John, jun., of Katea, Catlin's. ~ 500. —Spence, William, of Glenomaru, Catlin's. , 311. —Tyler, A. D., of Hunt's Road, Catlin's. „ 646.—Anderton, E., of Ratanui, Catlin's. 340.—Harrington, George, of Katea, Catlin's. ~ 647. —Bird, Charles, of Owaka, Catlin's. ', 341. —Wilson, Thomas, of Glenomaru, Catlin's. „ 648.—Gray, Thomas, of Katea, Catlin's. 364. —Donald, James, of Katea, Catlin's. ~ 649. —Mclntyre, W., of Ratanui, Catlin's. ','. 496. —Carrick, R-, of Glenomaru, Catlin's. ~ 652.—Ashmore, W. T., of Ratanui, Catlin'*.

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No. 185.—Petition of Augusta S. Ussher, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation on account of shortage of land. I am to report that the Committee recommends the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a recommendation that the deficiency be made up in cash or land. r 11th September, 1907.

No. 260.—Petition of Thomas Ussher, of Auckland. Petitioner prays for compensation on account of shortage 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 September, 1907.

No. 586.—Petition of John McKenzie, Rotorua. Petitioner prays for an exchange of a piece of land at Stewart Island for a piece of land in the vicinity of Rotorua. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is now under the consideration of the House, the Committee has no recommendation to make 13th September, 1907.

No. 299. —Petition of Charles Adams and 104 Others, Livingstone. Petitioners pray for the setting-aside for the purpose of small grazing-runs, subject to mining, of portions of the Otekaike Estate, together with portions of the hospital and municipal reserves Maerewhenua Survey District. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th September, 1907.

No. 204.—Petition of Hugh McLean, Wellington. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss sustained by having had to pay an excessive rent for a pastoral lease. I am directed to report that this Committee is convinced that the petitioner, Mr. Hugh McLean, has suffered severe loss owing to the non-reduction of his rent as recommended by the Otago School Commissioners in 1897. The Committee is of opinion that Mr. McLean should be adequately compensated for the above loss, and strongly recommends that the Government should favourably consider the prayer of this petition. 13th September, 1907.

No. s.—Petition of E. Sowry and 71 Others, of Matiere. Petitioners pray that they have the right of exchange to occupation-with-right-of-purchase lands thrown open for settlement in the district where not under the optional tenures. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is being dealt with by the Land Bill now before the House, this Committee has no recommend at ion to make 18th September, 1907.

No. 587.—Petition of Charles H. Turner, of Ravenscliff. Petitioner prays that a lease in perpetuity may be granted him for certain land in Queen Charlotte Sound, and, failing this, that £500 be granted him as compensation. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of this Committee, the alleged illegal action of the Board as stated by the petitioner in not granting him the lease he applied for is not borne out by the terms of the original lease granted to him. Therefore he has failed to establish any claim for compensation. But the Committee draws the attention of the Government to the unsatisfactory nature of the license he now holds, with a view of a more secure title being granted him, and the petition is referred to the Government for that purpose. 18th September, 1907.

No. 683.—Petition of William McPhee, of Katea. Petitioner prays for compensation owing to loss by bush-fires. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition is worthy of full inquiry, and the Committee recommends it be submitted to the Government for favourable consideration should the circumstances merit same. 18th September, 1907.

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No. 668.—Petition of Mary Theresa Tabor, Wellington. Petitioner prays for a title for certain land. I am directed to report that the Committee is of the opinion that, in view of suggested legislation on the subject, the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th October, 1907.

No. 85.—Petition of F. P. Tizard, of Birkenhead. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss of flax area. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th October, 1907.

No. 684.—Petition of Robert Warnock, of Houipapa. Petitioner prays for relief owing to loss by bush-fires in the Catlin's district. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th October, 1907.

No. 280.—Petition of Elizabeth Williams, of Martinborough. Petitioner prays for consideration in connection with a section of the Tawaha Estate. I am directed to report that, in view of the award of the Court, the petitioner has no legal claim against the Crown, but this Committee is of opinion that it could not possibly have been intended that, in the event of her securing the lease of the section, she would be called on to pay to the Crown the value of improvements which she had effected in the past. Under these circumstances this Committee recommends that the Government should place the sum of £70 on the estimates to recompense the petitioner for the same, which the Crown now legally claims from her. 11th October, 1907.

No. 197. —Petition of George E. Anson, of Wellington. Petitioner prays that he be given some form of security for the extension of the tenure of his small grazing-run in the Tiriraukawa Survey District, the lease of which expires in 1910. I' am directed to report that, the member presenting this petition having intimated to the Committee that the petitioner is desirous of withdrawing his petition, the Committee recommends that the said petition be allowed to be withdrawn. 11th October, 1907.

No. 702.—Petition of W. A. Chambers and 68 Others, of Wanstead. Petitioners pray that the Government may purchase the Motuataria Estate, near-Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay, for closer settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th October, 1907.

No. 698.—Petition of D. Orb and 54 Others, of Petane. Petitioners pray for the acquisition of the Parihaka Block, Hawke's Bay, for closer settlement. I am directed to report that this Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government, with* a recommendation that it be forwarded to the Land Purchase Board for inquiry. 11th October, 1907.

No. 750. —Petition of W. P. Henderson, of Houipapa. Petitioner for relief owing to loss by bush-fires in the Catlin's district. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition is worthy of full inquiry, and the Committee recommends that it be submitted to the Government for favourable consideration if the circumstances merit same. 11th October, 1907.

No. 668. —Petition of Mary Theresa Tabor, Wellington. (Second Report.) Petitioner prays for a title to certain land in Karori, Wellington. (The previous report on this petition having been referred back by the House for reconsideration.) I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that, in view of suggested legislation on the subject, the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 16th October, 1907.

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National Endowment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the National Endowment Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the attached copy. 16th October, 1907.

No. 772.—Petition of J. H. Nixon and Another, of Wanganui. Petitioners pray that such legislation be passed as will enable them to get a renewal of lease of a small grazing-run at Karioi. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view of the Government taking possession of the grassed portion for closer settlement, and that the executors of the late Edward McDonnell be granted a lease of the uncleared portion for a reasonable term so that they may mill the timber. The executors to pay royalties on the timber. Ist November, 1907.

No. 713. —Petition of George Gapes, of Karori, Wellington. Petitioner prays for compensation for the loss of road frontages to his land in Karori District. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Ist November, 1907.

Taieri Land Drainage Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Taieri Land Drainage Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 13th November, 1907.

Canterbury College Endowment Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Canterbury College Endowment Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 13th November, 1907.

Ranoitatau Block Exchange Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Rangitatau Block Exchange Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. The Committee directs that the attention of the House be called to the fact that it deals with Native lands. 13th November, 1907.

No. 861.—Petition of Robert Johnstone, Blackstone Hill. Petitioner prays that the land held by himself and family may be grouped in one holding. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this is a case requiring relief, and it recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view of special legislation being passed on the matter. 15th November, 1907.

No. 677.—Petition of J. R. Brodie, of Rangitata. .Petitioner prays that he be reimbursed for loss incurred through being improperly notified to relinquish certain lands in the vicinity of the Rangitata River. I am directed to report that, in view of the legal opinion submitted by Mr. Martin, solicitor, to the Committee that the petitioner's tenancy was wrongly terminated, the Committee recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 15th November, 1907.

No. 849.—Petition of H. A. Hawke and 19 Others, Pukekawa. Petitioners pray that the swamp situated on either side of the Whangamarino Stream, in the Waikato County, Auckland District, be drained. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a view of ascertaining whether the swamp could be drained and utilised as asked for by the petitioners. 15th November, 1907. 2—l. 5.

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No. 837.—Petition of Hanorah Hogan, Auckland. Petitioner prays for the restitution of a certain piece of land in the Parish of Pukekohe. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for further inquiry and favourable consideration. 15th November, 1907.

No. 199.—Petition of Thomas Bell, of Sunday Island. Petitioner prays for compensation in connection with his occupation of Sunday Island. I am directed to report that the Committee is of opinion that Mr. Bell's claim is based upon a misapprehension in his mind that the mere occupation of an island not declared British territory vests the fee-simple thereof in him; that occupancy confers no such rights, as is shown by the opinion of the Solicitor-General attached hereto ; and therefore the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th November, 1907.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Reserves and other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the attached copy. 22nd November, 1907.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has during the past session held twentyfive meetings, with an average attendance of 19}. Number of petitions referred to the Committee, 46 ; number of Bills, 6, all of which have been reported to the House. 22nd November, 1907.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,300 copies), £3 10s

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o7.

Price 6d.]

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