1.—3

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Eeport on Petition of Wiremu Paeatene and Othees. The petitioners, Natives of Mangonui, express a desire that some of them should have seats in the Mangonui County Council, and pray that the House should give effect to their wish. I am directed to report as follows : — That the Committee do not think it necessary to report an opinion on the subject-matter of this petition, the election of members of County Councils being duly provided for by law. John Beyce, 13th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Translation.] ko te kupu a te komiti mo runga i te pukapuka-inoi a wlremu paratene me etahi atu. Ko nga kai-inoi he Maori no Mangonui c mea ana me whai nohoanga ratou i roto o te Kaunihera o te Kaute, a c inoi ana ratou kia whakamana ta ratou tono. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare:— Ko te Komiti c mea ana c kore ratou c whakapuaki whakaaro mo tenei pukapuka-inoi no te mea kua oti te whakarite c te ture he ritenga c tv ai he mema mo te Kaunihera o te Kaute. John Bryce, Nowema 13, 1877. Tumuaki.

Eeport on Petition of Korako Karetai and Othees. Petitioners pray for increased Native representation for the South Island. I am directed to report as follows : — That the Committee recommend the prayer of the petitioners to the consideration of the House when the question of the readjustment of the representation of the colony is brought before it. John Beyce, 13th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Translation.] ko te kupu a te komiti mo runga i te pukapuka a korako karetai me etahi atu. Ko nga kai-inoi c inoi ana kia whaka-tokomahatia nga mema mo te Waipounamu. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare: — E mea ana te Komiti ma te Whare c whakaaro te inoi a nga kai-inoi, ana tae kite wa c whiriwhiria ai nga mema mo te Koroni. John Beyce, Nowema 13, 1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Eihaei Uruteangina. Petitioner states that a piece of land named Pakaraka, in the District of Waitotara, near Whanganui, was sold to Europeans by one Piripi. He alleges that the block of land in question really belongs to himself and his hapu, and prays that means may be found of restoring it to them. I am directed to report as follows: — That it is evident from the statements of the petitioner and Major Kemp, who have been examined by the Committee, that the claim set forth in the petition involves a question of Native title to land, which, if reopened at all, ought to be inquired into by some legal tribunal capable of making a full inquiry. The Committee have no specific opinion to report. John Bryce, 14th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Teanslation.] Ko TE KUPU A TE KOMITI MO EUNGA I TE PUKAPUKA-INOI A EIHAEI UeUTEANGINA. Ko te kai-inoi c mea ana ko tetahi wahi whenua, te ingoa ko Pakaraka, kei te Takiwa o Waitotara, c tata ana ki Whanganui i hokona kite Pakeha c tetahi tangata ko Piripi te ingoa c mea ana te Kaiinoi ko taua whenua nona ake me tona hapu a c inoi ana ia kia kimihia he ritenga c taea ai te whakahoki ki a ratou. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare: — I runga o te ahua o nga korero a te kai-inoi me Meiha Keepa, kite aroaro o te Komiti, c whakaatu ana i te take o te tangata kite whenua a kite whakapuaretia ano ma tetahi Kooti c kimi c uiui. Kahore he kupu a te Komiti. John Beyce, Nowema 14, 1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Wieemu Kaeaka. Petitionee prays for compensation for losses suffered by him during the war, stating that his claims were investigated by the Compensation Court, which sat on the 28th January, 1867. I am directed to report as follows: — That the question of the granting of compensation for losses suffered by individuals, whether Europeans or of the Native race, during the war, has been so often reported on by Select Committees