51

1.—3.

Eepoet on Petition of Eeweti te Hiakai and Others. This is a petition from certain Native residents of Kaikoura. The petitioners allege that it is the intention of the Government to take a railway over their land without giving them any compensation; and they pray that a sum of £10,000 be granted them in payment for the injuries likely to be inflicted. I am directed to report as follows:— That it is evident to the Committee that this petition has been sent to the House under a misconception on the part of the petitioners. If the railway referred to is constructed, there is no doubt that compensation will be given in the usual way for any damage done to private property. The Committee cannot, therefore, recommend the payment of £10,000 to the petitioners. John Beyce, 29th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Translation.] Ko te kupu a te Komiti mo eunga i te Pukapuka-inoi a Eeweti te Hiakai me ETAni atu. He pukapuka-inoi tenei na etahi Maori c noho ana i Kaikoura. Eki ana nga kai-inoi ka kawea c te Kawanatanga te rerewe ma runga i to ratou whenua, a kahore c hoatu he utu kia ratou, c inoi ana ratou kia hoatu kia £10,000 hei utu mo te whakakinonga o to ratou whenua. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare : — Ko te whakaaro ate Komiti ko tenei pitihana i tukua pohehetia c nga kai-inoi. Notemea kite hanga te rerewe c kiia nei tena ano c whai-ritengatia i runga i nga tikanga mo nga whenua o te tangata c kino ana. Na reira c kore te Komiti c mea me utu he £10,000 ki nga kai-inoi. John Bbjtce, Nowema 29, 1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Native Marriages Validation Bill. The Committee, having fully considered the Native Marriages Validation Bill and taken the evidence of the Solicitor-General thereon, have arrived at the conclusion that the Bill is unnecessary and ought to be withdrawn. John Bryce, 30th November, 1877. Chairman.

[Teanslation.] Ko te kupu mo te Pice Whakamana i nga Maeena Maoei. Kua tino oti i te Komiti te whiriwhiri te Pire Whakamana i nga Marena Maori, a kua uiuia hoki c ratou te Tino Eoia o te Kawanatanga, ko te mutunga iho o ta ratou whiriwhiri koia tenei, kahore he tika nga o taua Pire, engari ko te mea tika me unu ki waho. John Beyce, Nowema 30,1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Meiha Keepa te Eangihiwinui and Othees. Petitionees pray that the Maori Eeal Estate Management Bill and the Nativo Lands Act Amendment Bill be not proceeded with during the present session, so that the Maoris may have further opportunities of considering the effect those Bills are likely to have on the Native race. I am directed to report as follows: — That, the Bills in question having been disposed of by the House, the Committee do not think it necessary to express an opinion on the subject. John Beyce, sth December, 1877. Chairman.

[Teanslation.] Ko te kupu a te Komiti mo eunga i te Pukapuka-inoi a Meiha Keepa te Eangihiwinui me etahi atu. Ko nga kai-inoi c mea ana ko te Pire whakahaere i nga Whenua Maori Tuturu, me te Pire Whakatikatika i te Ture mo nga Whenua Maori me kaua c whakaotia i tenei nohoanga o te Paremete, kia ahei ai nga Maori te whiriwhiri i te mahi a aua ture mo te Iwi Maori. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare: — I te mea kua oti aua Pire i te Whare, c mahara ana te Komiti kahore he take c whakapuaki kupu ai ratou. John Beyce, Tihema 5,1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Taeeha te Moananui and Othees. The petitioners express approval of the Government of Sir George Grey. I am directed to report as follows: — That the Committee think it undesirable to express an opinion on the subject-matter of this petition. John Beyce, sth December, 1877. Chairman.