LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. A. MACPHERSON, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1933 Session I, I-05

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1933. NEW ZEALAND.

LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. J. A. MACPHERSON, Chairman.)

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Friday, the 6th Day op October, 1933. Ordered, " That a Committee be set up, consisting of ten members, to whom shall stand 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 recommend such amendments therein as it thinks proper, and to report generally, when necessary, upon the principles and provisions of the Bills: the Committee to consist of Mr. J. Connolly, Mr. Dickie, Mr. Hargest, Mr. Langstone, Mr. Macpherson, Mr. J. N. Massey, Mr. Richards, Mr. Savage, the Hon. Mr. Downie Stewart, and the mover." —(Right Hon. Mr. Forbes for Hon. Mr. Ransom.) Friday, the 13th Day of October, 1933. Ordered, " That the name of the Hon. Mr. Downie Stewart be discharged from the Lands Committee, and that of Mr. A. Stuart substituted therefor." —(Hon. Mr. Ransom.) Wednesday, the 18th Day of October, 1933. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the 1932-33 session be again referred to the same Committees that they were referred to during the said session."—(Right Hon. Mr. Forbes.) Friday, the Bth Day of December, 1933. Ordered, " That the Lands Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House."— (Mr. Macpherson.) Monday, the 11th Day of December, 1933. Ordered, "That Paper No. 169 —Land Act, 1924: Proposed Reservation of certain Areas in North Auckland, Auckland, and Taranaki Land Districts as Endowments for Primary Education —be referred to the Lands Committee."—(Hon. Mr. Ransom.) Ordered, " That Paper No. 170 —Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act, 1928: Notice of Intention to revoke the Reservation over Rotomanu Domain, Westland Land District —be referred to the Lands Committee." —(Hon. Mr. Ransom.) Tuesday, the 19th Day of December, 1933. Ordered, " That the Lands Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House."— (Mr. Macpherson.) Wednesday, the 20th Day of December, 1933. Ordered, " That the Lands Committee be revived for the purpose of considering the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Amendment Bill about to be introduced." —(Hon. Mr. Ransom.) Ordered, " That the Lands Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House."—(Mr. Dickie for Mr. Macpherson.) Memoranda for the Chairman of the Lands Committee :— The Bill intituled the Scenery Preservation Amendment Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the New Plymouth Borough Council and New Plymouth Harbour Board Empowering Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Egmont National Park Amendment Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Private Bill intituled the Waikato Water-supply Company Limited Empowering Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Harbours Amendment Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Wellington City Empowering and Special Rates Consolidation Amendment Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Napier Harbour Board and Roman Catholic Archbishop Empowering Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Coal-mines Amendment Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Whakatane Harbour Board Vesting Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Bluff Harbour Board and Bluff Borough Council Empowering Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled the Local Legislation Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report.

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INDEX.

REPORTS.

Egmont National Park Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Egmont National Park Amendment Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 7th November, 1933.

New Plymouth Borough Council and New Plymouth Harbour Board Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the New Plymouth Borough Council and New Plymouth Harbour Board Empowering Bill, and recommends that, so far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendment shown on the copy of the Bill hereto attached. 7th November, 1933.

Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Scenery Preservation Amendment Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendment shown on the copy of the Bill hereto attached. 7th November, 1933. .

No. 194. —Petition of H. L. Harker, of Wairoa, Chairman of Wairoa Harbour Board. Praying that a parliamentary Committee be set up to consider and investigate the position of rating of Crown lands. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 9th November, 1933.

Waikato Water-supply Company Limited Empowering Bill. I have the honour, by direction of the Lands Committee, which has considered the Waikato Watersupply Company Limited Empowering Bill, to report thereon as follows : " This is a Private Bill, and it seeks to confer very wide powers on a private corporation and hands over to it a public utility. It should, therefore, be subject to very close scrutiny in order that the public interest may be safeguarded. The Standing Orders relating to Private Bills provide machinery for this scrutiny by a special Committee, and the Lands Committee therefore confines its report to those provisions of the

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No. Petitioner, &c. Page. Bluff Harbour Board and Bluff 4 Borough Council Empowering Bill Coal-mines Amendment Bill .. 4 232 Corban, D. E. .. .. 4 201 Button, S. .. .. .. 4 Education Endowment, Primary 4 (Paper No. 169) Egmont National Park Amendment 2 Bill Final report .. .. .. 5 Harbours Amendment Bill .. 3 194 Harker, H. L. .. .. .. 2 314/1932-33 Littlewood, H. C. .. .. 3 Local Legislation Bill .. .. 5 Napier Harbour Board and Napier 4 Borough Enabling Bill Napier Harbour Board and Roman 3 Catholic Archbishop Empowering Bill New Plymouth Borough Council 2 and New Plymouth Harbour I Board Empowering Bill Parliamentary Paper No. 169) 4 (Primary Education Endowment) Parliamentary Paper No. 170 (He- 4 voking Reservation)

No. Petitioner, Ac. Page. Reservation, Revoking (Paper 4 No. 170) Reserves and other Lands Disposal 5 Bill Scenery Preservation Amendment 2 Bill Small Farms (Relief of Unemploy- 5 ment) Amendment Bill Special report re Chairman .. 5 Special report re Clerk .. .. 5 303/1932-33 Teschemaker-Shute, J. C. .. 3 12 Venables, G. W., and others .. 3 Waikato Water-supply Company 2 Limited Empowering Bill (Private) Waimakariri River Improvement 3 Amendment Bill 30 Ward, A. ... .. .. 4 Wellington City Empowering and 3 Special Rates Consolidation Amendment Bill Whakatane Harbour Board Vesting 4 Bill 212 Williams, S. F. G. .. .. 4

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Bill more closely relating to the lands of the Crown. The Committee would, however, point out that several other Departments of State are interested in provisions of the Bill, and in the normal course reports should be obtained from those Departments— e.g., the Public Works, Railways, Marine, Health Internal Affairs, Treasury, and Stamp Duties Departments. In regard to the rights of the Crown' powers are sought in the Bill, inter alia, to enable Crown lands and reserves to be taken or set apart under the provisions of the Public Works Act, 1928, as if the company were a local authority and works a U i • a ior ' zes the company to undertake were public works within the meaning of that Act Ihe Bill also affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown in respect of rivers, tidal waters, and harbours, and in other directions. So far as provisions in the Bill affecting the lands of the Crown are concerned, the Committee recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, subject to provision be m | made therein to the effect that the company shall not exercise any of the powers contained in lii i• l> W respect to lands owned by the Crown, or public reserves or domains as defined by the I üblic Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Act, 1928, without the prior consent of the Minister of the Crown in charge of the Department concerned with the administration of such lands, reserves, or domains, and subject to such special conditions as he may see fit to impose. 14th November, 1933.

No. 12.—Petition of G. W. Venables and 76 Others, all of Napier, in New Zealand. Praying for an inquiry into the valuations of their Napier Harbour Board leaseholds and for such relief as the House may be able to afford. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make, the Committee being of opinion that the petitioners may avail themselves of the provisions for relief of lessees contained in the Mortgagors and Tenants Relief Acts. 22nd November, 1933.

Napier Harbour Board and Roman Catholic Archbishop Empowering Bill. 1 iiavk the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Napier Harbour an< * KoI l nan Catholic Archbishop Empowering Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 24th November, 1933.

Wellington City Empowering and Special Rates Consolidation Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Wellington City Empowering and Special Rates Consolidation Amendment Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 24th November, 1933.

Waimakariri River Improvement Amendment Bill. I ha\ e the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Waimakariri River Improvement Amendment Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment sth December, 1933.

Harbours Amendment Bill. 1 " ll ° 1 n ° Ur t0 report that thu Lands Committee has carefully considered the Harbours Amendment Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the copy thereof hereto annexed. sth December, 1933.

No. 303, 1932-33.—Petition of J. C. Teschemaker-Shute, of Mangatahi, Hawke's Bay, Farmer. Praying that steps be taken to enable him to retain, on reasonable terms, his farm, at present proposed to be sold by the State Advances Office Superintendent. I have the honour to report that, the member presenting this petition having informed the Committee that he desired to withdraw this petition, the Committee recommends that the member have leave to withdraw the same. 11th December, 1933.

No. 314, 1932-33.—Petition of H. C. Littlewood and 3 Others, of Raetihi. Praying that proceedings by the Public Trustee to obtain possession of a certain farm property at Kaetihi be stayed, for an investigation and for such further or other relief as may be just. 1 have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for consideration and inauirv. llth December, 1933.

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No. 201.—Petition of S. Dutton, of Awaroa, Broadwood, Hokianga, Farmer. Praying that he be protected from being disturbed in the possession of land by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and for compensation for expense to which he has been put. 1 have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 11th December, 1933.

No. 212. —Petition of S. F. G. Williams, of Runciman. Praying for compensation for alleged loss of capital and for alleged wrongful prosecution. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 11th December, 1933.

No. 232. —Petition of D. E. Corban and 91 Others, all of Te Kuiti. Praying for a reduction in the valuations and purchase prices of land held by them under the deferredpayment system, or other relief. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for consideration. 13th December, 1933.

Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Bill. 1 have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Bill, and recommends that, so far as it affects public reserves, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 14th December, 1933.

Bluff Harbour Board and Bluff Borough Council Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Bluff Harbour Board and Bluff Borough Council Empowering Bill, and recommends that, so far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 14th December, 1933.

Coal-mines Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Coal-mines Amendment Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed. 14th December, 1933.

Whakatane Harbour Board Vesting Bill. f have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Whakatane Harbour Board Vesting Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 14th December, 1933.

Parliamentary Paper No. 169 (Primary Education Endowment). I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee recommends that the proposed reservation of certain areas in the North Auckland, Auckland, and Taranaki Land Districts, as set out in parliamentary paper No. 169, as endowments for primary education, be approved. 15th December, 1933.

Parliamentary Paper No. 170 (Notice of Intention to revoke Reservation over Domain). I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has considered the proposal contained in the notice of intention to issue an Order in Council revoking the reservation over the Rotomanu Domain, Westland Land District, as set out in parliamentary paper No. 170, and recommends that the proposal be approved. 15th December, 1933.

No. 30. —Petition of A. Ward, of Christchurch, New Zealand. Praying for redress in respect of moneys lost on a farm purchased from the Lands Department. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, and has no recommendation to make. 15th December, 1933.

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Local Legislation Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Local Legislation Bill, and recommends that, so far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown or public reserves, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 19th December, 1933.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 19th December, 1933. J. A. Macpherson, Chairman.

Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the lands Committee has carefully considered the Small Farms (Relief of Unemployment) Amendment Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 20th December, 1933.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting the Lands Committee expressed by resolution its high appreciation of the services rendered to the Committee by the Clerk, Mr. W. J. Organ, and directed that the resolution be reported to the House. 20th December, 1933. H. G. Dickie, for Chairman.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that at its final meeting the Lands Committee unanimously passed the following resolution : " That this Committee places on record its high appreciation of the care, ability, and tact with which the Chairman, Mr. J. A. Macpherson, has conducted the business of the Committee throughout the session, and directs that this resolution be reported to the House." A. Stuart, 20th December, 1933. A Member of the Committee.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that during the session the Lands Committee, consisting of ten members, has held ten meetings with an average attendance of seven members. Fourteen Bills, two parliamentary papers, and twelve petitions were referred to the Committee. All the Bills and the parliamentary papers were considered and reported to the House ; eight petitions were heard and reported on, two were partly heard and held over for further information, and two were presented too late in the session to be investigated. 20th December, 1933. H. G. Dickie, for Chairman.

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Price tid.]

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