J.—l

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months after their arrival, they were left without the semblance of Government; yet order was preserved among them in the most admirable manner purely by their own good conduct under the trying circumstances in the midst of which they were placed." 18. That the progress of the colony during the early stage of its existence was due entirely to the energy and perseverance of its practical founders, who now by themselves, or their descendants and representatives, venture to claim from the Legislature similar consideration to that already extended to the Naval and Military Settlers and Volunteers in return for services rendered to the colony; a claim, in fact, resting on the broad ground that they were " the sappers and miners for the present army of colonists, who are now reaping the benefits of that advanced guard." "19. That it is not intended to press the claims of any particular class or body of pioneers, but to apply generally on behalf of all who settled in New Zealand and became bond fide colonists prior to the foundation of the settlements of Otago and Canterbury, and who may now be disposed to claim the grant. 20. That the petition is made on behalf of persons scattered all over the colony, whose views have been ascertained by letter and otherwise, and who consider that, for the reasons and on the grounds herein set forth, they have a strong claim on the consideration of Parliament. 21. That at a public meeting held, pursuant to advertisement, at the Oddfellows' Hall in Wellington, on the 17th day of June, 1875, where upwards of 300 pioneers from all parts of the colony were assembled, the undersigned being chairman, a resolution was passed affirming the justice of the claim now put forward, and fixing the year ISIS as the limit, in point of time, to the recognition of "pioneer" settlement in New Zealand, in terms following, that is to say, — " That the Pioneer Settlers, and members of their families now in the colony, and who arrived prior to Ist January, 1848, are entitled to free grants of land; and that a memorial to both Houses of Legislature be prepared for presentation embodying these views, praying that claims may bo investigated and satisfied." 22. That inasmuch as the Naval and Military Settlers have received from the Colonial Government, under the authority of the General Assembly, grants of land, and up to a recent period tho Volunteers also, the Pioneer Settlers of New Zealand, who, in addition to the drawbacks and difficulties referred to above, had also from time to time to perform military duty in various parts of the North Island and in the settlement of Nelson, believe that they have an equal claim to the consideration of the Government. 23. That your Petitioners pray for a full inquiry into and investigation of their case, at such time and in such manner as the House may direct. And your Petitioners will ever pray, &c. George Crawford, Chairman of Public Meeting. J. H. Wallace, Secretary.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. Friday, 16th Octobeb, 1875. Mr. J. H. Wallace, being in attendance, made a statement to the following effect: — There are a number of the early settlers of the colony who came out here to improve their condition, but a great many of them have not, up to the present time, been able to make that progress in the colony which they otherwise would have made had the early days of tho colony been more advantageous for their progress. They had to contend with a great number of disadvantages, the principal being the continued differences existing between the New Zealand Company and the Government. The difficulties that existed to the final settlement or adjustment of affairs between the Company and the Government were of such a naiure as to completely retard the progress of tin; early settlers: in fact a great number of them, including some influential colonists, contemplated leaving the country in consequence. Many of them did so. Many of the purchasers of land from the Company beneiitted by the arrangement between the Imperial Government and the Company, but the settlers generally who were not purchasers from the Company, and were the persons more particularly referred to in the petition, were the parties who, in his opinion, are entitled to the consideration of tho Government. Then, with regard to the position in which the settlers were placed—a great number of them were purchasers of land ai that time, and they selected their lands in the Manawatu district, but those selections remained unsatisfied, and, in point of fact, the persons had never been able to use the lands selected. With regard to clause 3of the petition —" That in addition to this they had to contend with formidable Nativr difficulties, arising out of the circumstances of the country, and seriously impeding the work of colonization" —the settlers as a body on both sides of Cook Strait, and the settlers throughout the North Island, had to encounter innumerable difficulties created by the appointment at that time by the Government of what were called Native Protectors. The result was, that the early settlers had no opportunity whatever of acquiring land from the Natives, either by purchase or by lease. Before the separation of the colony from New South Wales, when Sir George Gipps had the management of aftairs, it was held to be almost a crime to interfere in any shape or way with any of the Native lands, and Sir George Gipps issued instructions to Lieut.-Governor Hobson by which early settlers dealing to purchase lands in this district had to select lands round about Wellington, and were not allowed to