46

1.—3.

[Translation.] Ko te kupu a te Komiti mo eunga i te Pukapuka-inoi a Apeeahama Pokai me etahi atu. Ko nga kai-inoi he Maori no Hauraki c inoi ana, ko nga toenga moni c kiia ana c tika ana kia puta kia ratou, mo etahi hoko whenua me utu kia ratou. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare : — Ko te tono a nga kai-inoi he mea hei whakaarohanga ma te Kawanatanga. John Beyce, Nowema 16, 1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Hateeea Kotutekoeinuku. Petitionee states that an island in Port Cooper called Eipapa was never purchased by the Europeans, and that, no matter what any one may say, he is the sole descendant of its real owner. He therefore prays either to be paid for the island or granted land elsewhere. I am directed to report as follows : — That, in the absence of evidence, the Committee have no opinion to offer. John Beyce, 16th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Teanslation.] ko te kupu a te komiti mo eunga i te pukapuka-inoi a hateeea kotutekoeinuku. Ko te kai-inoi c mea ana ko tetahi Moutere kei Te Whakaraupo, c karangatia ano ko Eipapa, kahore rawa i hokona kite pakeha, ko ia anake te uri o te tangata nona ake taua Moutere ahakoa te ki a tetahi atu tangata, na konei ka inoi ia kia utua ia mo taua Moutere me hoatu ranei he whenua mana i tetahi atu wahi. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare: — I te mea kahore he korero mo taua pukapuka-inoi i whakapuakina kite aroaro o te Komiti, kahore te Komiti c whai kupu. John Beyce, Nowema 16,1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Wieemu Potiki and Anothee. Petitionees express wonder and disapproval that the Government should have reserved a piece of land near Kaiapoi for Matiaha and his people, because they had no right to it, the petitioners being the real owners. They allege that Matiaha and his people, although living at Moeraki, belong really to Kaiapoi, where their mana does exist. The petitioners pray that Moeraki may be restored to them. I am directed to report as follows: — That the claims set forth in this petition involve questions of Native title to land which have already been investigated by a competent tribunal. The Committee cannot recommend a reopening of the case. John Beyce, 16th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Teanslation.] ko te kupu a te komiti mo eunga i te pukapuka-inoi a wleemu potikt me tetahi atu. Ko nga kai-inoi c whakahe rawa ana kite Kawanatanga mo te rahuitanga i tetahi wahi whenua c tata ana ki Kaiapoi mo Matiaha me tona iwi, notemea kahore o ratou panga ki taua whenua, ko nga kaiinoi ke nga tangata no ratou taua whenua. A c mea ana ano raua ahakoa c noho ana a Matiaha me tona iwi i Moeraki, no Kaiapoi ke ratou, kei reira ka whai mana ratou. E inoi ana nga kai-inoi me whakahoki a atu a Moeraki ki a raua Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare:— Ko te tono c whakaaturia ana i roto o tenei pukapuka-inoi c eke ana kite take Maori kite whenua, a kua oti tera te mahi c tetahi tikanga whakawa whai mana. A c kore c taea etc Komiti te whakapuare ano i taua mea. John Beyce, Nowema 16, 1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Membees of the Muaupoko Teibe. Petitionees pray that Eoad Board and County laws should have no effect over land the Native title to which has not been extinguishSd, and object generally to laws affecting Native lands. I am directed to report as follows : — That the Committee do not think it necessary or desirable to recommend any alteration in the law in the direction of exempting Native lands from local rates, and do not think it necessary to offer any opinion upon the more general objection of the petitioners to all laws affecting Native lands. John Beyce, 16th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Teanslation.] Ko te kupu a te Komiti mo eunga i te Pukapuka-inoi a nga tangata o te iwi o Muaupoko. Ko nga kai-inoi c inoi ana ko nga ture mo nga Eori Pooti me nga Kaute, me kaua c eke ki nga whenua kahore ano i kore te mana Maori, a c whakahe ana ano hoki ki nga ture mo nga whenua Maori.