H.—No. 12
REPORTS OP THE PUBLIC
4
The Committee examined Mr. Carrington, the Superintendent of Taranaki, and Mr. Bunny, Provincial Secretary of the Province of Wellington: and it appears that with regard to the allegations contained in the petition, " that little or no revenue derived from the district has been spent by the Provinces," the petitioners appear to be misinformed; as from the evidence of Mr. Carrington, Superintendent of Taranaki, it is shown that for the last two years all the revenue derived from the district by the Province has been expended for public purposes, and that, in addition thereto, large sums have been expended by the General Government on the construction of roads and bridges. That no taxation in the shape of road rates or education rates has as yet been imposed on the district by the Province of Taranaki, although road and education rates are imposed by the Province of Wellington. I am directed to report that the Committee do not consider it within their province to offer any opinion to the House with respect to the policy of creating the petitioner's district a new political division of the Colony. 21st August, 1872.
4. On Petition of William Wallis, Alexander Crawford, and Henry Worthington, of Wairoa, Auckland. The petitioners, as Trustees of the Wairoa Highway Board, took action to open up a disputed right of road, by breaking down a fence made across the road by one Duncan McNicol, the owner of the land. An action for trespass was brought by McNicol against them in the Supreme Court, which resulted in a verdict in his favour, The petitioners state that they were led to believe, by the action of the Colonial Government, that a right-of-way had been acquired, and that their action was the result of legal advice, and they pray that relief be given to them on account of the cost of defending the action, amounting to £208 9s. I am directed to report that the Committee, having examined witnesses and carefully considered the case, are of opinion that the petitioners have not shown sufficient cause to justify the Committee in recommending the Colonial Government to reimburse them their law costs incurred as defendants in the action referred to in the petition. 13th September, 1872.
5. On Petition of John Logan Campbell. TnE petitioner is the representative of one Thomas Henry, who obtained certificates of pre-emption from the Crown in the purchase of certain lands from the Natives, and that, having bought 1,400 acres from the Natives under four certificates of pre-emption, he was only awarded 695 acres, for which he received Crown grants, and of the balance of 505 acres not granted to him, 145 acres are still in the hands of the Crown, and he prays that such portion thereof as is not required for public purposes be conveyed to him. This is an old land claim which has been several times before the House. It arose out of the Pitzroy Proclamation, by which individuals were allowed to purchase land direct from the Natives on certain conditions. It appears that Henry obtained four certificates of pre-emption : — Pre-emption Certificate, No. 22, 200 acres. Pre-emption Certificate, No. 61, 100 acres. Pre-emption Certificate, No. 112, 300 acres. Pre-emption Certificate, No. 113, 800 acres. That, with respect to these purchases, an inquiry was held by Major Matson, a Commissioner appointed under the Land Claims Act, 1846, and he reported in favour of the three first claims, but in the case of No. 113 awarded £147 compensation. The Government appear to have granted the land bought under Certificate No. 22, namely, 195 acres, five acres being deducted for roads ; and in July, 1848, granted 500 acres in full compensation for lands purchased under Certificates Nos. 61, 112, 113, namely, 1,200 acres. Henry accepted this under protest; though he had previously offered, by letter dated 16th October, 1847, to accept the 500 acres according to sketch enclosed, surrendering all right claimed under certificates of pre-emption. The 500 acres seem to have been granted in the terms of his application as regards the definition of the boundaries. In 1859, Henry applies for grants for 400 acres, being purchases made under Certificates 61 and 112. To this the Attorney-General replies, that as Henry had chosen the last of three courses offered by the Governor, and had received the full amount to which that course entitled him, that accordingly he had no claim for any further grant of land under the Proclamation. I am directed to report, that it appears to the Committee that Henry obtained all the land to which he was entitled under the terms of Pitzroy's Proclamation, as interpreted by Governor Grey's minute of 7th July, 1847 ; and as Henry offered to accept 500 acres of land subsequently granted to him, and surrender his claims under certificates of pre-emption to about 800 acres in addition to tho 500, the Committee cannot recommend that any further compensation be made. 13th September, 1872.
6. On Petition of Thomas Goodison. The petitioner states that in March, 1869, certain Natives of Otaki seized live stock and other property, to the value of £900, as payment for cattle said by the Natives to have been taken by petitioner's sons. The Committee have made strict inquiry into this case, and it appears that the petitioner and his