I;— 2.

No. 522.—Petition of Anabu tb Kahaki and Others. Petitioners say that they reside at Waiapu, Cook County. They refer to attempts of Europeans to get their lands, and to the various Acts passed for protecting their property. They pray for an Act to secure a town site in connection with petroleum works, and also that the adjoining lands should be reserved from sale, but to be leased for farming and other purposes. They also pray that a Native Committee may be empowered to act in this matter, under the direction of the Public Trustee. I am directed to report as follows : — That this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 3rd September, 1883.

[Translation.] No. 522.—Pukapuka-inoi a Anaru te Kahaki me etahi atu. Eki ana nga kai-pitihana kei Waiapu ratou c noho ana i roto ite Kaute o Kuki. E wha'kahua ana ratou i te mahi a nga pakeha c whai ana ki o ratou whenua me nga Ture hoki i paahitia hei tiaki i o ratou whenua. E inoi ana ratou kia hangaia he ture mo tetahi wahi hei Taone i te takiwa o nga mahi hinu whenua, a ko nga whenua c piri ana ki reira me here kia kaua c hokona engari me riihi anake hei paamu me etahi atu mea. E inoi ana ano hoki ratou kia whakamanaia tetahi Komiti Maori hei whakahaere i enei tikanga i raro i nga tohutohu a Te Kai-tiaki o te Katoa. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei:— Me tuku atu tenei pitihana hei whakaarohanga ma te Kawanatanga. 3 Hepetema, 1883.

No. 373.—Petition of Kawana Hunia and Others. Petitioners, who belong to the Ngatiapa Tribe, state that they were interested in land which was brought into Court on the 24th June, 1880, at Bull's, the other claimants being the Ngatihauiti Tribe ; that, on the sth July, after the case of the latter tribe had been nearly completed, and before the petitioners had entered upon theirs, the Court decided that it would not any longer permit lawyers to appear ; that, by this action, the petitioners were hindered from fairly stating their case ; that they then withdrew, and the Court closed; that by this action of the Court they had lost £500 in expenses; that a rehearing was granted, to be held within three months, but that this did not occur for two years, thus causing further loss to the petitioners. They pray for compensation. I am directed to report as follows: — That exactly similar petitions were presented in 1880 (No. 232) and 1882 (No. 469), and the matter was fully gone into. The Committee has no recommendation to make. 3rd September, 1883.

[Translation.] No. 373. —Pukapuka-inoi a Kawana Hunia me etahi atu. Ko nga kai-pitihana no Ngatiapa, c ki ana i whaitake ratou ki tetahi whenua i Kootitia i Puru Taone ite 24 Hume, 1880, ko Ngatihauiti o ratou hoariri. Ite 5 o Hurae i te mea c tata ana te oti ote keehi a Ngatihauiti a kaore ano kia whakapuakina te taha ki nga Kai-pitihana, ka mea te Kooti me puta ngaroia ki waho o te Kooti, no reira i he ai te korero a nga Kai-pitihana i to ratou keehi, ununia mai ana ki waho, mutu ana te Kooti; na i runga i tenei mahi ate Kooti i pau te £500, a nga kai-pitihana. I whakaaetia te whakawa tuarua kia tv i roto i nga niarama c toru, na ema tau :cawa tv ai taua whakawa tuarua no reira i pau nui ai nga moni a o koutou Kai-pitihana. E inoi ana ratou kia whakaorangia ratou. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei:— E rua nga pitihana penei i te tau 1880 (No. 232) me te tau 1882 (No. 469) i ata whiriwhiria an i reira. Kaore he kupu ate Komiti. 3 Hepetema, 1883.

No. 31.—Petition of Euka Tuta and 13 Others. Petitioners state that their land, called "Whakarewa, at Motueka, was taken by certain bishops. They say that they are in distress, and pray that the land may be returned to them. I am directed to report as follows: — That Petitions No. 31, of 1883, and No. 92, of 1882, involve questions of great importance and requiring careful consideration. The Committee recommend that they should be considered early next session. as 3rd September, 1863.

[Translation.] No. 31.—Pukapuka-inoi a Euka Tuta me etahi atu 13. Eki ana nga kai-pitihana ko to ratou whenua i Whakarewa, i Motueka i riro i etahi pihopa; c ki ana ratou ka nui to ratou mate,, a c inoi ana kia whakahokia te whenua kia ratou. Kua whakahaua ahau kialu penei:— Ko te pitihana.-31 ate tau 1883 me te 92 ote tau 1882 c whaitikanga nui ana, he mea tika kia ata whiriwhiria marinetia. E mea ana te Komiti me tuku wawe mai ano ite timatanga o tera Paremete. 3 Hepetema, 1883.

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