G.— l3

Sess. 11.—1879. NEW ZEALAND.

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT FROM AREKA MANAHI TE RATU AND OTHERS (MINUTE BY MR. CHARLES MARSHALL UPON A), ASKING FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE LAND CALLED PAPUAHINA, IN THE COUNTY OF MANUKAU.

Laid upon the Table ly the Son. Mr. Sryce, with the leave of tie House. Petition of Abeka Manaiii te Katij and 30 Others. Te Kohekohe, "Waikato, Auckland, Ist March, 1878. A petition from us, the undersigned, and our hapus, to the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, praying your fair and careful consideration to the matters by your petitioners hereunder set forth. We know that you are able to grant all prayers, to consider all difficulties, and put an end to them, and also to set right all such things as may be wrong; hence our petition to you. 1. We ask for the restoration to us of our land Papaahinu, near Pukaki, Otahuhu, in the County of Manukau, in the Provincial District of Auckland. 2. The acquisition by the Government of that land was entirely wrong, and so was the decision of the Court in 186G. We were here at Waikato, and we had no notice of the said Court. When we sent in our applications we were told that we were too late. 3. This land did not form a portion of that included in the confiscation on account of the Waikato war. It contains about two hundred acres. 4. We were told during the time of iSir Donald McLean's Government that we should be justified in applying to the Native Land Court for a rehearing of the case of that land ; but it has been nothing else but " Taihoa, taihoa, taihoa," to the end of the chapter, which has kept us in a state of distress ; and we have to humbly beg now for a rehearing of the case as between our claims and those of the persons who secretly got hold of that land and sold it. Now, we desire that Mr. Sheehan and Hoani Nahe should speak for us in Parliament in reference to the points stated above, and any questions which may be put to Areka Manahi te Ratu, Korougoi Patawhira, Timaoho Ngatai, and others may be commented upon or replied to by them. Long live the Queen and her administrators of the affairs of all her people, in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Abeka Manaiii te Ratu and 30 Others. Native Affatrs Committee.— Report on the Petition of Aeeka Manaiii te Ratu and Others. Petitioners ask for the restoration to them of a piece of land called Papuahina, in the County of Manukau. They state that the acquisition of that piece of land by the Government was entirely wrong; and that the decision of the Native Court in 18G6 was equally so. The petitioners allege that they were told, during the time of the late Government, that they would be justified in applying for a rehearing of their case; but the result has been nothing but "Taihoa" to the end of the chapter. They pray that their case may be heard before the Native Land Court. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petition be referred to the Government for further inquiry. John Betce, 14th October, 1878. Chairman. Mr. Marshall. Look over petition. Were the Natives in rebellion, and do you know circumstances ? Report for the information of the Government. 28th October, 1878. Hy. Tt. Clarke. The petitioners were the whole of them in the rebellion, and many of them, as ex-rebels, have had land given to them by the Government. The land in question was confiscated, and adjudicated upon by the Native Land Compensation Court in 18GG, and full compensation given to all loyal Natives who proved their claims. Full and ample notice of the intended sitting of the Court to investigate the claims of that district was given. A large majority of the petitioners were living in the King country at the time of the sitting of that Court. 11th November, 1878. C. Marshall. By Authority: (Jeoege Didsbuby, Government Printer, "Wellington. —1879. Price 3d.]