F—No. 1

Wednesday, 3rd September, 1862. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present : —i Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell, Mr. Wells, Mr. Carleton, Hon. Mr. Wood. Major Nixon, The Minutes of last Meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee resumed the consideration of the Resolution proposed by Mr. Carleton at the last meeting: "That any new Act ought to be kept altogether clear of all previous enactments, providing simply the means of holding inquiries as to whether injuries had been suffered from the Government, and what amount of compensation is due and shall be made for such injuries." And the Question being put, it was resolved in the Affirmative. The Committee then adjourned.

Saturday, 6th September, 1862. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present :— Hon. Mr. Dillon Bell, Major Nixon, Mr. Carleton, Hon. Mr. Wood. The Minutes of last Meeting were read and confirmed. Moved by Mr. Carleton : That the inequality of restitution to the land claimants, resulting from the issue of Crown Grants —for instance, the Great Barrier grant of 44,000 acres —to certain individual claimants, being in excess of the maximum—2560acres, ought to be rectified by further legislation ; and that the same measure of justice ought to be meted (equal or similar cause being shewn) to present claimants as to those who have already received grants in excess. And the Motion being put, the Committee divided, when there Were — Aye, 1. Noes, 2. Mr. Carleton. Major Nixon, Hon. Mr. Wood. So it passed in the Negative. On motion of Mr. Carleton, Resolved : That those claimants who have refrained from impeding the Government in the settlement of claims ought not to be placed in a less favourable position than those who have resisted. The Chairman read a draft Report. A discussion arose thereupon, and the Question being put on the adoption of the Report, Mr. Carleton moved in amendment: In paragraph 5 to omit all the words after the words ' awarded by the Jury to be selected,' and to insert in lieu thereof: ' Out of the lauds called surplus lands giving to each claimant a prior claim upon the land to which he shall have extinguished the Native title; or in the event of such laud being already disposed of, out of lands not handed over to any Provincial Government, and set apart by the Governor for the purpose of such selection being exercised over them.' And the Amendment being put it passed in the Negative. Mr. Carleton moved a further Amendment in paragraph 5 : After the words 'In which the claim was situate,' to insert the words 'Provided always that any such claimant shall be allowed the option of referring his claim to a Judge of the Supreme Court as aforesaid, or to the Commissioner of Land Claims, who should be empowered by Act of the Assembly to make au award according to equity and good conscience. Provided also that any claimant who shall have elected to go before the Commissioner shail be debarred from referring his claim to a Judge of the Supreme Court.' And the Question being put on the Amendment, the Committee divided, when there were, Aye, I. Noes, 2. Mr. Carleton. Major Nixon, Hon. Mr. Wood. So it passed in the Negative. Then the Report as read was adopted—Mr. Carleton appending a Memorandum. The Committee then adjourned sine die.

6

LAND CLAIMS COMMITTEE.