1.—2.

legal difficulties to prevent assent to the prayer of the petition. The petition should be referred to the Government for consideration in the event of any proposed alteration of the law. 21st August, 1883.

[Teanslation.] No. 427.—Pukapuka-inoi a Wieemu Hahupiei me ona hoa c 2. E whakaatu ana te kai-pitihana i te hokonga o tetahi eka whenua kotahi i Poneke i etahi Maori i te tau 1877 i runga ite whakaaro kore oTe Harete i uru tahi nei ia me Hamupiri kite hoko. Ko nga tikanga mo te wewete i nga here i runga i te karauna karati kihai i mahia inaianei kua mate nei a te Harete kei te whakahaeretia ana taonga c nga tangata tokorua i roto i tenei pitihana, erangi kua he rawa to raua panga ki enei taonga inaianei. B inoi ana raua kia unuhia te here i runga i te karauna karati i runga i nga tikanga c kitea te tika ana kia mahia. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei:— E tika ana te huarahi o te hoko a te Harete raua ko Kamupiri erangi tera etahi tikanga o te Ture c arai ana i te whakaae kite inoi a nga kai pitihana, ko tenei me tuku i te pitihana kia whakaarohia c te Kawanatanga i runga i te mea tera pea c hanga tetahi Ture hou hei whakahaere i enei tv take. 21 Akuhata, 1883.

No. 296.—-Petition of Maihi Tengaeu and 152 Others. Petitionees pray that a Bill to give special powers to a Native Land Company may not be passed. I am directed to report as follows : — That, as the Bill referred to has been withdrawn, the Committee has no recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1883.

[Teanslation.] No. 296.—Pukapuka-inoi a Maihi Teng-abu me etahi atu 152. E inoi ana te kai-pitihana kia kaua c tuka he Pire whakamana i tetahi Kamupani Whenua Maori. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei:— No te mea kua unuhia te Pire c whakahuatia nei kahore he kupu a te komiti. 22 Akuhata, 1883.

No. 4-04.—Petition of Heea Peka Paeetaiki. Petitionee complains that her name is not included amongst those to whom Waotu South was awarded by the Native Land Court whilst at Cambridge this year. She complains further of the unjust proceedings of the Court. I am directed to report as follows : — That the petitioner's name is in the grant for Waotu South, and the Committee has therefore no recommendation to make. 22nd August, 1883.

[Translation.] No. 404. — Pukapuka-inoi a Hbea Peka Paeetaiki. B ki ana te kai-pitihana kaore tana ingoa i uru ki Waotu kite Tonga i whakataua nei c te Kooti Whenua Maori i Kemureti i tenei tau. E whai kupu ana hoki ia mo te he ote whakahaere o nga mahi a te Kooti. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei:— Kua uru ano te ingoa ote kai pitihana ki tetahi wahi o Waotu kite Tonga. Heoi kahore he kupu a te Komite. 22 Akuhata, 1883.

No. 453.—Petition of Eobeet Geaham. Petitioner states that in 1878 he entered into relations with the chiefs of Eotorua for the occupation of Te Koutu, near Ohinenxutu; that the then Native Minister offered to give him a Crown grant of a portion of this land on condition that he would surrender his rights to the Government, which offer he declined ; that in April, 1879, he vacated the land in obedience to a request of the Government ; that the Thermal Springs Act now prevents him from acquiring any legal title; and, finally, that the passing of the Native Land Laws Amendment Bill will entail upon him loss, unless there be special provisions introduced to protect equitable rights. I am directed to report as follows : — That the Committee, after having fully examined the petitioner himself, would indorse and emphasize the report upon a similar petition (No. 349) considered last session. That report is as follows : " That Te Koutu Block, which includes Kawaha, was leased by Government in September, 1874; that in March, 1878, Government proclaimed the block as under negotiation for purchase, whilst the petitioner acknowledges that the alleged gift was in December of the same year; the pretended gift seems to have been got after a plentiful supply of stores, including spirits and tobacco to the Natives, and'the promise of a church and newspaper, which promise has not been fulfilled. Mr. Graham seems to have no equitable claim to the land, and has no right to look to the Government for assistance." 23rd August, 1883.

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