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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1937 Session I, I-05

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1937-38. NEW ZEALAND.

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

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives.

ORDERS OE REEERENCE.

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 29th Day of September, 1937. 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." —(Right Hon. Mr. Savage, for Hon. Mr. Langstone.) Thursday, the 30th Day of September, 1937. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1936 be again referred to the same Committees as they were referred to during the said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Savage.) Wednesday, the 20th Day of October, 1937. Ordered, " That the report of the Lands Committee on the petition of J. W. Silcock and others be referred back to the Comrqittee for further consideration." —(Mr. C. H. Burnett.) Wednesday, the 10th Day of November, 1937. Ordered, " That the Lands Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House." —(Mr. Barnes.) Monday, the 14th Day of March, 1938. Ordered, " That the Lands Committee have leave to sit during the present sitting of the House and also on Tuesday, the 15th day of March, during the sitthig of the House."—(Mr. Barnes.) Memoranda for the Chairman of the Lands Committee :— The Bill intituled the New Plymouth Airport Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (20th October, 1937.) The Bill intituled the Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (2nd December, 1937.) The Bill intituled the Christchurch Domains Amendment Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (2nd December, 1937.) The Bill intituled the Whangarei Airport Act stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (2nd November, 1937.) The Bill intituled the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Act, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 14th day of March, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. (14th March, 1938).

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REPORTS.

No. 302/1936—Petition of Mary Dillon, of Timaru, Widow. Praying for the remission of arrears of rent in respect of land at Rosewell Settlement, Opawa Survev 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 consideration. 20th October, 1937.

No. 21,—Petition of J. W. Silcock and Others, of Waitoki and Mangaiti, Farmers. Praying for compensation for damage allegedly caused to their lands by 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 October, 1937.

Special Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has passed the following Resolution and directed me to report the same to the House : " That, in the opinion of this Committee, the Standing Orders relating to Local Bills should provide that the descriptions of land in the Schedules to Local Bills be certified to by the Chief Surveyor of the Land District in which the land is situated " 4th November, 1937.

New Plymouth Airport Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the New Plymouth Airport Bill and recommends that, so far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill hereto annexed ' 4th November, 1937. D. Barnes, Chairman.

Whangarei Airport Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Whangarei Airport Bill and recommends that, so far as it affects the rights and prerogatives of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed. The Committee, while unwilling to delay the progress of this Bill, desires to express the opinion that some provision of land for recreation purposes should be made, in replacement of the block of 8 acres of formed recreation ground which is being taken under the Bill for the purposes of an aerodrome 11th November, 1936.

No. 21. Petition of J. W. Silcock: and Others, of Waitoki and Mangaiti, Farmers. Praying for compensation for damage allegedly caused to their lands by the Waihou River Stop-bank Scheme. I have the honour to report that this petition, which was, by Order of the House dated the 20th day of October, 1937, referred back to the Lands Committee for further consideration, has again been considered, and the Committee, having heard further evidence thereon, recommends that it be referred to the Government for inquiry. 11th November, 1937. E. L. Cullen, for Chairman.

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No. 78. —Petition of H. C. Wheeler, of Motutara, Auckland. Praying (a) that he be allowed to resume the tenancy of certain land at Motutara Settlement, Kaipara ; (b) that arrears of rent be capitalized ; (c) that he be granted £1,500 compensation for loss allegedly sustained through hasty forfeiture, and forced sale of stock, &c. ; or (d) other relief. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 24th November, 1937.

Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Wellington City Empowering and Amendment Bill and recommends that, so far as it affects a public reserve, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. Bth December, 1937.

Christchurch Domains Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the Christchurch Domains Amendment Bill and recommends that, so far as it affects public reserves, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. Bth December, 1937.

No. 131.—Petition of T. Harris, of Putaruru, Settler. Praying for compensation for loss sustained through the forced sale of his property. 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. 9th March, 1938.

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 with the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill hereto annexed. 14th March, 1938.

No. 132.—Petition of E. C. Banks, of Mount Maunganui, Tauranga. Praying for the return of land taken by the Public Works Department in exchange for other land, or compensation for the difference in value. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 15th March, 1938.

No. 68. —Petition of W. C. Smyth, of Taupiri, Labourer. Praying for compensation for losses occasioned by the flooding of his land from drains under the control of the Public Works Department. 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. 15th March, 1938.

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No. 134. —Petition of J. B. Jordan and Another, of Kaukapakapa, Farmers. Praying for the remission, by legislation, of part of the rates levied on their properties by the Waitemata County Council. Ī have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition, but, as the petitioners have not exhausted their legal remedies, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 15th March, 1938.

No. 163. —Petition of H. C. Wheeler, of Motutara, Auckland. Praying (a) that he be allowed to resume the tenancy of certain land at Motutara Settlement, Kaipara ; (6) that arrears of rent be capitalized ; (c) that he be granted £1,500 compensation for loss allegedly sustained through hasty forfeiture, and forced sale of stock, &c. ; or (d) other relief. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered this petition and has no recommendation to make. 15th March, 1938.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee, consisting of ten members, has held nine meetings during the session, with an average attendance of five members. Nine petitions and five Bills were referred to the Committee, and all were considered and reported to the House, except one petition, on which the petitioner was unable to attend before the Committee. D. Barnes, Chairman. 15th March, 1938.

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