LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. D. BARNES, Chairman.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1936 Session I, I-05

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1936. NEW ZEALAND.

LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. D. BARNES, Chairman.)

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the Bouse of Representatives. Thursday, the 16th Day of April, 1936. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, 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. Barnes, Mr. Christie, Mr. Cullen, Mr. Dickie, Colonel Hargest, Mr. McDougall, Mr. Meachen, the Hon. Sir Alfred Ransom, Mr. Wilson, and the Mover."—(Hon. Mr. Lee Martin, for Hon. Mr. Lang stone.) Friday, the 17th Day of April, 1936. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1935 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session." —(Hon. Mr. Savage.) Tuesday, the 19th Day of May, 1936. Ordered, " That the petition of J. H. N. Hyde be referred direct to the Lands Committee." (Hon. Mr. Cobbe.) Thursday, the 21st Day of May, 1936. Ordered, " That the report of the Lands Committee on the New Plymouth Borough Land Exchange and Empowering Bill be referred back to the Committee for further consideration." —(Mr. Smith.) Memoranda for the Chairman of the Lands Committee: — The private Bill intituled the Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, Water-supply Empowering Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (21st April, 1936.) The Bill intituled the New Plymouth Borough Land Exchange and Empowering Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (Bth May, 1936.) The Bill intituled the Wellington City Reclamation and Empowering Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (Bth May, 1936.) The Bill intituled the Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (28th May, 1936.) The Bill intituled the Sumner Borough Empowering Act, 1936, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (17tli September, 1936.) The Bill intituled the Hawke's Bay Rivers Amendment Act, 1936, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (30tli September, 1936.) The Bill intituled the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, 1936, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (14th October, 1936.) The amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General in the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill stand referred to the Lands Committee for report. (20tli October, 1936.) The further amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General in the Bill intituled the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, *1936, stand referred to the Lands Committee for report. (27th October, 1936.)

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INDEX.

REPORTS.

No. 72.—Petition of G. Cosson and Others, of Muahi, Awanui, Settlers. Praying for financial assistance pending restoration of their farms damaged by a recent gale. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 29th April, 1936.

No. 167, 1935.—Petition of W. Diack, of Glenham, Southland, Settler. Praying for relief' for Glenham settlers in respect of the burdens alleged to lie imposed upon them by the stoppage of the Wyndham-(rlenham branch railway; and No. 85.—Petition of W. A. Bennett and Others, of Glenham, Southland, Settlers. Praying for a reduction of 25 per cent, in the annual rentals of their Glenham Settlement sections. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered these petitions and recommends that they be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th May, 1936.

No. 40.—Petition of J. 0. Law, of Orini, Parmer. Praying for reinstatement on his discharged-soldiers-settlement farm and for compensation for losses. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 13th May, 1936.

No. 43.—Petition of A. Ward, late of Weedons, Canterbury, Farmer. Praying for compensation for losses on farm purchased from the Crown. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 13th May, 1936.

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No. Petitions, &c. Page Bennett, W. A., and others .. 2 105 Boon, W. R., and others .. 4 220 Campion, C. J., and others .. 5 164 Clarke, Gladys H. . . .. 5 106 Cochrane, A. S., and others .. 4 72 Cosson, G., and others .. .. 2 167/35 Diaok, W. .. .. .. 2 208 Duffy, S.F. .. . . .. 6 Final Report .. . . .. 7 287 Harris, T. .. . . .. 6 Hawke's Bay Rivers Amendment 6 Bill 73V [T i . r land 297/ Ilotlgins. I.. .. .. .. 6 132 Hyde, J. H.N... .. .. 4 116 Johnstone, H. .. .. .. 3 166 King, R. M., and another .. 5 40 Law, J. 0. .. . . .. 2 Napier Harbour Board and Napier 4 Borough Enabling Bill New Plymouth Borough Land Ex- 3 change and Empowering Bill (two reports) 35 Pagan, J. .. .. .. 5

No. Petitions, <&c. Page 195 Pain, Maria .. .. . . 5 51 Rells, R., and others . . .. 3 Reserves and other Lands Disposal 6 Bill Reserves and other Lands Disposal 6 Bill (Amendments) Reserves and other Lands Disposal 6 Bill (Further Amendments) 248} S y me ' w 3 7 1 Sumner Borough Empowering Bill 5 Special Report (re Chairman) . . 7 176 Terry, H. R., and others .. 5 190 Timmings, W. E. .. .. 6 84 Todd, C. J. .. .. .. 5 103 Turvey, L. M., and others .. 4 43 Ward, A. .. .. .. 2 Wellington City Reclamation and 3 Empowering Bill Whakatane Paper Mills, Ltd., Water- 3 supply Empowering Bill 94 Williams, S. E. G. .. .. 4 109 Wilson, A. .. .. .. 4

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Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, Water-supply Empowering Bill. 1. have the honour, by direction of the Lands Committee, which has considered the Whakatane Paper Mills, Limited, Water-supply Empowering Bill, to report thereon as follows: — This is a private Bill whose objccts and clauses will be scrutinized in detail by the Special Committee on the Bill under the Standing Orders relating to Private Bills. The original draft of the Bill was submitted to an inter-departmental Committee from the Public Works, Marine, Internal Affairs, and Lands and Survey Departments. Some further amendments will be suggested to the Special Committee and, in particular, so far as the Lands Department is concerned, an amendment to the definition of " public drain," in clause 2, by adding the words " and also includes any drainage-works or stop-bank connected with any such drain," and an amendment to the description of the area in the Schedule. As these amendments will be placed before the Special Committee on the Bill, the Lands Committee confines its report to the rights and prerogatives of the Crown in respect of roads and drains, tidal lands and water, river and river-bed areas, &c., and, so far as these rights and prerogatives are concerned, the Committee recommends that, subject to the above-mentioned amendments being made, the Bill be allowed to proceed. 13th May, 1936.

No. 97.—Petition of W. Syme, of Onehunga, Auckland, Farmer. Praying for compensation for losses on his land arising from the Waihou River Stop-bank Scheme. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 20th May, 1936.

No. 116. —Petition of H. Johnstone, of Avondale. Praying for compensation in respect of moneys advanced by him to two co-purchasers of land from the State. 1 have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and lias no recommendation to make. 20th May, 1936.

Wellington City Reclamation and Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Wellington City Reclamation and Empowering Bill and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 20th May, 1936.

New Plymouth Borough Land Exchange and Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the New Plymouth Borough Land Exchange and Empowering Bill, and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments shown on the copy thereof hereto attached. 21st May, 1936. [Referred back to Committee for further consideration, 21st May, 1936.J

No. 51. —Petition of R. Rells and Others, of Napier. Praying that a Commission or Committee of inquiry be set up to investigate their grievances in respect of their Napier Harbour Board leases, and for redress. 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 21st May, 1936.

New Plymouth Borough Land Exchange and Empowering Bill. [Second Report.) I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has again carefully considered the New Plymouth Borough Land Exchange and Empowering Bill, which was referred back to the Committee for further consideration, and again recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments shown on the copy thereof attached to the Committee's report of the 21st day of May, 1936. 27th May, 1936.

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No. 103- Petition of L. M. Turvey and Others, of Te Wae Wae Settlement, Southland, Settlers. Praying for revaluation of lands leased from the Crown and for the cancellation of all arrears of rent. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and, in view of the fact that provision already exists under the Land Act and its amendments whereby the petitioners may obtain the relief they seek, has no recommendation to make. 4th June, 1936.

No. 106.—Petition of A. S. Cochrane, of Waipukurau, Farmer. Praying for compensation for losses allegedly sustained in connection with land leased from the Crown. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 4th June, 1936.

No. 94. —S. F. G. Williams, of Runciman, Farmer. Praying for compensation for loss of: capital and labour spent on farm and for alleged unnecessary Court proceedings against him. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 4th June, 1936.

Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Napier Harbour Board and Napier Borough Enabling Bill and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 4th June, 1936.

No. 132. —Petition of J. H. N. Hyde, of McGregor Settlement, Ohingaiti, Farmer. Praying for compensation, amounting to £1,150, claimed to be half the cost of the improvements embodied in the equity in his property and allegedly lost by him to the Crown. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition. In view of the legislation for the adjustment of mortgages being brought down by the Government and of the fact that the petitioner may be able to present his ciaim thereunder, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th Juiy, 1936.

No. 105.—Petition of W. R. Boon and Others, of Whakatane-Taneatua District, Farmers. Praying for a grant of £5,000 to enable them to carry out works to prevent flooding in the Whakatane-Taneatua District. 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 inquiry. 30th July, 1936.

No. 109.—Petition of A. Wilson, formerly of Tawanui, now of Abbotsford, Otago, Sawmiller. Praying for £6,000 compensation for losses allegedly sustained through fire started in a State forest and through alleged failure to give access to his property. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1936.

No. 73. —Petition of L. Hodgins, of Waikato, Farm If arid. Praying for compensation for losses allegedly sustained through the sale of his property by the Crown as mortgagee. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1936.

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No. 84. —Petition of C. J. Todd, of Tahekeroa, North Auckland, Farmer. Praying for relief and compensation in respect of the cancellation of the lease of his land at Makarau and in respect of certain Court orders in relation thereto. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered tins petition and has no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1936.

No. 35,—Petition of J. Pagan, of Hataitai, Wellington. Praying for compensation in respect of discharged-soldiers-settlement land formerly held by him under lease at Golden Downs, Nelson. , . I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1936.

No. 164. —Petition of Gladys H. Clarke, of Lower Hutt, Widow. Praying for a grant of £300, being a repayment of moneys borrowed by her late husband to erect- a dwellinghouse on land subsequently sold by the Crown as mortgagee. _ I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 14th August, 1936.

No. 166. Petition of R. M. King and Another, of Golden Downs, Nelson, Sheep-farmers. Praying that the Crown purchase their area of 3,100 acres in the Gordon and Motupiko Survey Districts, Nelson, for £10,000, or, in the alternative, that they be granted £6,000 monetary compensation for loss allegedly sustained through the establishment of a State afforestation scheme in the locality. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 9th September, 1936-

No. 176. Petition of H. R. Terry and 27 Others, of Rotorua District, Settlers. Praying (1) That the Crown waive any claim to the unimproved value of lands held by them thereby giving them the freehold without further cost; (2) that settlers who have freeholded their lands in the bush-sick area be granted " change paddocks " free of cost. Ī 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. 9th September, 1936.

Sumner Borough Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Sumner Borough Empowering Bill and recommends that, so far as it affects a public reseive, tlie Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 23rd September, 1936.

No. 220. Petition of C. J. Campion and Others, of Okirae, Fordell, Sheep-farmers. Praying for compensation for loss of 740 acres of land at Fordell, shown on resurvey of original block of land. , . . I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered tins petition and has no recommendation to make. 23rd September, 1936.

No. 195.—Petition of Maria Pain, of Green Island, Dunedin. Praying for a compassionate allowance in respect of loss on the sale of hei late husband s ■nronertv I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 23rd September, 1936.

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Hawke's Bay Rivers Amendment Bill. . I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Hawke's Bay Rivers Amendment Bill and recommends that, so far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 7th October, 1936.

No. 248.—Petition of W. Syme, of Onehunga, Auckland. Praying for compensation for losses'on his farm arising from the Waihou River Stop-bank Scheme. . 1 ha ve the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully- considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 14th October, 1936.

No. 190.—Petition of W. E. Timmings, of Auckland. Praying for restoration of property of which he was allegedly wrongfully dispossessed, or for compensation. I ha.ve the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 14th October, 1936.

No. 208.—Petition of S. F. Duffy, of Turakina, Farmer. Praying that he be granted access to land leased by him from the Crown. _ 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 14th October, 1936.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill. [ have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill and recommends that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. 16th October, 1936.

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 amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General in the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill, as shown on Supplementary Order Paper No. 43, and recommends that they be allowed to proceed with the amendment to Clause 30 shown on the copy hereto attached 22nd October, 1936.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill. —Further Amendments Proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the further amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General in' the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill, as shown on Supplementary. Order Paper No. 46, and recommends that they be added to the Bill and allowed to proceed without amendment. 28th October, 1936.

No. 287.—Petition of T. Harris, of Putaruru, Settler. Praying for compensation for loss sustained through the alleged forced sale of his land . 1 havo tho honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 28th October, 1936.

No. 297. —Petition of L. Hodgins, of Waikato, Farm Hand. Praying for compensation for losses allegedly sustained through the sale of his land by the Crown. ' I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 28th October, 1936. BaRNES ' Cha ™-

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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 appreciation of the capable manner in which Mr. Barnes, as Chairman, has conducted the business of the Committee and of his interest and impartiality therein, and directs that this resolution be reported to the House. E. A. Ransom, a Member of the Committee. 29th October, 1936.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee, consisting of ten members, has held eighteen meetings during the session, with an average attendance of seven members. Twentyseven petitions, eight Bills, and two Messages from His Excellency the Governor-General transmitting amendments were referred to the Committee, and all were considered and reported to the House, except one petition, which came in too late to permit of a reportbeing obtained thereon. G. H. 0. Wilson, for the Chairman. 29th October, 1936.

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