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1882. NEW ZEALAND.

WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. (REPORTS ON DEFERRED-PAYMENT SETTLERS' RELIEF BILL, AND PETITIONS OF DEFERREDPAYMENT SETTLERS.)

Brought up 3rd August, 1882, and ordered to be printed.

REPOETS. Repoet on the Defeeeed-Payment Settlees' Relief Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Deferred-Payment Settlers' Relief Bill, have the honor to report that, after taking evidence as to the working of the deferred-payment system, the Committee are of opinion that the provisions of this Bill do not meet the requirements of the case, — (1.) Because the proposed mode of securing relief would be found cumbersome in practice ; (2.) Because the mode of obtaining relief would be costly, as involving heavy law expenses to applicants; (3.) Because it is specially objectionable, as establishing a comparatively-inexperienced Court to review the decisions of a responsible department, having both experience and practical training to guide it. James Pulton, 3rd August, 1882. Chairman.

Repoet on Petitions of Defeeeed-Payment Settlees. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom were referred the under-mentioned petitions, viz.,— No. 100. Thomas D. Darton and others ; No. 124. H. Smith and others ; No. 147. A. McKinnon and others ; No. 262. George Telford and others ; No. 263. James Hartstonge and others ; No. 267. Robert Barr and others ; and No. 290. R. Cunningham and others, have the honor to report that the case of a number of the petitioners is deserving of consideration at the hands of the Legislature, so as to enable them to fulfil their engagements ; and, with this view, the Committee hope to submit suggestions, when their report on the Government Land Bill is brought up. James Pulton, 3rd August, 1882. Chairman.

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