LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. HOCKLY, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1927 Session I, I-05

1.—5

1927. NEW ZEALAND

LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. HOCKLY, Chairman.)

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

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 14th Day of July, 1927. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ten members, to whom shall be referred, after the first reading, all Bills affecting or in any way relating to the lands of the Crown, or education or other public reserves; the Committee to have power to make such amendments therein as it thinks proper, and to report generally when necessary upon the principles and provisions of the Bills ; the Committee to have power to call for persons, "papers, and records ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bitchener, the Hon. Mr. Buddo, Mr. Forbes, Mr. J. R. Hamilton, Mr. Hockly, Mr. Jordan, Mr. McLennan, Mr. Savage, Mr. Walter, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. MoLeod.)

INDEX.

No. | Petitioner, &c. | Page, j 271 Abbott, F. G. .. .. .. 7 Auckland Harbour Board Empowering 3 Bill 264/26 Baillie and Co. and 101 others .. 2 j 241 Bicknell, J. T. .. .. .. 4 40 Brown, L. N. .. .. .. 4 j 19 Callaghan, M. .. .. .. 4 29 Chamberlain, L. S. .. .. .. 2 294 Clerke, G. .. .. . . .. 5 Coal-mines Amendment Bill .. . . 6 319 Commins, Flora M. .. .. .. 7 Dunedin City Corporation Empowering 2 Amendment Bill Education Reserves Amendment Bill .. 8 Egmont National Park Amendment. Bill 2 | Final report .. .. .. 8 130 j Fisher, P. .. .. .. .. 3 324 | Glamuzina, Mate, and 635 others .. 7 Greytown Trust Lands Trustees Em- 5 powering Bill 67 Hamerton, C. E. .. . . 4 320 Henry, "Matthew .. .. . . 7 Hutt Valley Lands Settlement Amend- : 6 ment Bill Land for Settlements Amendment Bill 2 Land Laws Amendment Bill .. 5 39 MacDonald, G. A., and ]4 others .. : 2 44/26 I McBurney, W. J. .. .. 1 3 255 McLean, A., and 33 others .. .. 5 Mining Amendment Bill .. .. 5 330 Mitchell, C. T. .. .. .. 7 32 | Moulin, M. T. .. .. .. 4

No. Petitioner, ,< c. : Page. Native Land Amendment and Native 7 Land Claims Adjustment Bill Newmarket Borough Council Vesting 6 and Empowering Bill 303 Overton, J. R. .. .. .. 7 : Parliamentary Paper No. 33.. .. 2 280 ! Paterson, W. R. .. .. .. (i 246 I Patillo, G., and 70 others .. .. 6 272/26 Patten, E. W., and 49 others .. 2 ! Peel Forest Amendment Bill.. . . 4 i Petroleum Bill . . .. .. 5 75/26 | Quirke, R. W., and 9 others.. .. 4 | Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill j (i [ Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill ! 8 (amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General) 240 Russell, A. E. .. .. .. 4 316 : Saunders, W. G. .. .. 7 234 Smith, E. R. .. .. .. 5 56 Timmings, W. E. .. .. 3 Tongariro National Park Amendment 5 Bill 10 Ward, A. .. .. .. .. 3 Wellington City and Suburban Water- 6 supply Bill Wellington City Empowering and Amend- 3 ment Bill Wellington City Exhibition and Grounds 3 Bill Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting and 3 Empowering Bill 25 Williams, S. F. G. .. .. .. 4 245 1 Zimmerman, H. .. .. .. ; 6

1.—5.

REPORTS. Egmont National Park Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed toproceed without amendment. 22nd July, 1927.

Land for Settlements Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 22nd July, 1927.

Parliamentary Paper No. 33.—Proposal to reserve Lands in the Gisborne and Otago Land Districts as Endowments for Education. I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered Paper No. 33, referred to it by the House, proposing reservation of lands in the Gisborne and Otago Land Districts as endowments for education, recommends that the proposal be given effect to. 22nd July, 1927. No. 264/26, Petition of Baillik and Co. and 101 Others, and No. 272/26, Petition of E. W. Patten and 49 Others, of Westport. Praying for a right to purchase Westport Colliery leases. I am directed to report that, the subject-matter of these petitions being a matter of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 24th August, 1927.

No. 29.-—Petition of L. S. Chamberlain, of Te Awamutu. Praying for remission of land-tax. I am directed to report that, the member presenting this petition being desirous of withdrawing the same, the Committee recommends that the member be allowed to do so. 24th August, 1.927.

Dunedin City Corporation Empowering Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed as amended by the Local Bills Committee. The Committee is of opinion that the Bill should be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. 24th August, 1927.

No. 39.—Petition of G. A. Mac Donald and 14 Others, of Napier. Praying that provision be made whereby the petitioners' underleases and subleases be classed as' securities upon which loans may be granted by any State Loan Department. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration ; and the Committee further recommends that the Government push on as expeditiously as possible with the acquisition of the freehold of the land in question, and so give the petitioners good and sufficient securitv for loans from Government Departments 24th August, 1927.

2

1.—5

No. 44/26. —Petition of W. J. Mcßurney, of Waerenga. Praying for investigation and refund of certain moneys paid to the Crown when purchasing a farm in the Taniwha Settlement. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 24th August, 1927.

No. 10. —Petition of Alfred Ward, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation for loss sustained on the purchase of a returned soldier's farm. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 24th August, 1927.

Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed as amended by the Local Bills Committee. 24th August, 1927.

Wellington City Exhibition and Grounds Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed as amended by the Local Bills Committee. 24th August, 1927.

Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting and Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that it has carefully considered the same, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed as amended by the Local Bills Committee. 24th August, 1927.

No. 130. —Petition of P. Fisher, of Canterbury. Praying for a reassessment of rent paid on leased Crown land, and allowances for certain improvements. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration ; and the Committee suggests that the alternative proposal made by the petitioner in 1924—that he be allowed to surrender his lease on payment to him of the value of his improvements —and which was agreed to by the Minister of Lands, be again made to him. 31st August, 1927.

No. 56.—Petition of W. E. Timmings, of Wellington. Praying for compensation for loss sustained in a land transaction. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 31st August, 1927.

Auckland Harbour Board Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that, so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 15th September, 1927.

3

1.—5

No. 40.—Petition of L. N. Brown, of Roto. Praying for refund of certain moneys not credited to him in connection with a Crown leasehold. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make witli regard to this petition. 15th September, 1927.

No. 19. —Petition of Maria Callaghan, of Green Island. Praying for compassionate allowance for loss incurred through sale of property at Green Island. I am directed to report that the Committee has 110 recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 15th September, 1927.

No. 67..—Petition of C. E. Hamerton, of St. Helier's Bay. Praying for compensation on account of loss sustained on a farm purchased from the Government. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 15th September, 1927.

No. 32. —Petition of M. T. Moulin, of Arahiwi. Praying that her farm be taken over by the Government, owing to loss incurred by alleged excessive valuation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 15tli September, 1927.

Peel Forest Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. Ist.h September, 1927.

No. 75/26. —Petition of R. W. Quirke and 9 Others, of Taumarunui. Praying for reduction in rental of certain sections in Block I, Hunua Survey District. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 15th September, 1927.

No. 240. —Petition of A. E. Russell, of Otoko. Praying for inquiry as to title of land. I am directed to report that, as the petitioner has not exhausted his legal remedy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th September, 1927.

No. 25.—Petition of S. P. G. Williams, of Runciman. Praying for compensation for loss 011 a soldier's farm, or, alternately, that the Crown Lands Department lodge a bankruptcy petition against petitioner. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has 110 recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 15th September, 1927.

No. 241.—Petition of J. T. Bicknell, of Featherston. Praying for compensation for alleged loss suffered tlirough lack of water for stock. I am directed to report that the Committee has 110 recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 21st September, 1927.

4

1.—5

Land Laws Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments as shown on the copy of the Bill annexed. sth October, 1927.

Tongariro National Park Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. sth October, 1927.

Greytown Trust Lands Trustees Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 17th October, 1927.

Mining Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill ha.s been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that in so far as it affects the lands of the Crown the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 17th October, 1927.

No. 234. —Petition of E. R. Smith, of Edendale, Auckland. Praying for remission of a sum of money advanced by the Crown on a returned soldier's farm. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned petition, has the honour to report that, as an agreement has been arrived at between the petitioner amd the Crown, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 17th October, 1927.

No. 255. —Petition of A. McLean and 33 Others, of Awakeri. Praying for the stop-banking, deepening, and straightening of the Rangitaiki River. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 20th October, 1927.

Petroleum Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that in so far as it affects the lands of the Crown the Hill be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached. 20th October, 1927.

No. 294. —Petition of G. Clerke, of Rata. Praying for inquiry and compensation in connection with occupancy of a soldier-settlement farm. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 26th October, 1927.

5

1.—5

Hutt Valley Lands Settlement Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 26th October, 1927.

Newmarket Borough Council Vesting and Empowering Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that, in so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed. 26th October, 1927.

No. 280.—Petition of W. R. Paterson, of Tutira, Hawke's BayPraying for compensation for improvements on land leased from the Crown and Natives, or, in the alternative, that such land be made subject to certain special legislation. I am directed to report that if and when the Crown purchases the fee-simple of the petitioner's land the prayer of the petitioner be favourably considered by the Government. 26th October, 1927.

No. 246. —Petition of G. Patillo and 76 Others, of Kopaki and Mopiu. Praying that the prayer of the petition of Henry Zimmerman be given effect to. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendaton to make with regard to this petition. 26th October, 1927.

Wellington City and Suburban Water-supply Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that, in so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed. 26th October, 1927.

No. 245.—Petition of H. Zimmerman, of Kopaki. Praying for a compassionate allowance owing to loss incurred by alleged misrepresentation when purchasing a bull from a State farm. 1 am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 20th October, 1927.

Coal-mines Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that, in so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 2nd November, 1927.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 2nd November, 1927.

6

1.—5

No. 271. —Petition of F. G. Abbott, of Springdale. Praying for compensation for loss owing to flooding of his farm-lands. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendaton to make with regard to this petition. 9th November, 1927.

No. 316.—Petition of W. G. Saunders and Another, of Ngaroma. Praying for a refund of purchase-money paid for land, and to be given an opportunity to be established on healthy properties. 1 have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration as to whether any relief can be granted to him. 9th November, 1927.

No. 320.—Petition of Matthew Henry, of Hamilton. Praying that the purchase of the Balachraggan Settlement land be inquired into, and that he be granted compensation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 14th November, 1927.

No. 330.—Petition of C. T. Mitchell, of Puhipuhi. Praying that correspondence with a former Commissioner of Lands be inquired into. I have the honour to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 16th November, 1927.

No. 319. —Petition of Flora M. Commins, of Mareretu. Praying for compensation for land taken by the Public Works Department. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 16tli November, 1927.

No. 324.—Petition of Mate Glamuzina, of Red Hill, and 635 Others. Praying for the repeal of the Kauri-gum Control Act. i am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 16th November, 1927.

No. 303. —Petition of J. R. Overton, of Auckland. Praying for compensation for alleged losses incurred in the sale of his farm at Okete to the Crown as a soldier settlement. I have the honour to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 16th November, 1927.

Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that, so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 22nd November, 1927.

7

1.—6.

Education Reserves Amendment Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 22nd November, 1927.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill (Amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General) . I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the above-mentioned proposed amendments, and recommends that, in so far as the proposed new clauses are concerned, they be allowed to proceed without amendment. 22nd November, 1927.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee, consisting of ten members, has held seventeen meetings during the session, and that the average attendance of members at these meetings has been seven members per meeting. Including five held over from last session, the Committee had referred to it thirty petitions. Twenty-nine were considered and reported on, and one was held over until next session by request. Twenty-one Bills and one parliamentary paper were referred to the Committee, and all of these were considered and reported upon. 29th November, 1927. F. F. Hockly, Chairman.

Approximate Cost o1 Paper.—Preparation not given; printing (475 copies), £8 15s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1927.

I'riee 6d.]

8