11

1.—4

The Waste Lands Committee has the honour to report that the Committee recommends that petitioner be refunded the money paid by him, together with interest thereon, in respect of the actual area deficient, inclusive of area taken for roads. sth November, 1884.

No. 25, Sess. ll.—Petition of Feedeeick J. W. Gascoigne. The petitioner prays he may have his town acre at Ormondville restored to him, as the grant for the same was cancelled through the Commission being misinformed. The Waste Lands Committee has the honour to report that the information at the disposal of the Committee does not enable them to arrive at a decision; they therefore recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th November, 1884.

No. 538, Sess. ll.—Petition of James Philips. The petitioner alleges that he purchased a piece of land from Government by mistake, and paid a deposit thereon of £48 19s. 4d. The land has since been sold, and he prays for a refund of the deposit. The Waste Lands Committee has the honour to report that the Committee recommend that the decision of the Waste Lands Board be given effect to. 6th November, 1884.

No. 537, Sess. ll.—Petition of John Dickson. The petitioner is a deferred-payment settler at Hokonui, and he states that, through having exhausted his means in improvements, he is unable to comply with the terms of the Act. He prays for relief. The Committee is of opinion that the prayer of this petition is a question for the Administration. 6th November, 1884.

No. 546, Sess. ll.—Petition of Aeama Kaeaka Haututu. The petitioner alleges he was unjustly deprived of certain land at Takapuna, near Auckland. He prays for inquiry into his claim, such inquiry to take place in Auckland. The Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government. 6th November, 1884.

Special Powers and Conteacts Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the Bill intituled the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, has the honour to report that they have carefully considered the Bill, and recommend that the Bill should be passed, with amendments and additions as shown on the copy annexed hereto. 6th November, 1884.

Special Recognition of Services of Chaibmen of Select Committees. The Waste Lands Committee has the honour to make the following report to the House : — The Committee has had under its consideration the principle, which was affirmed by the House, of granting a special recognition of services to Chairmen of Select Committees. Without expressing any opinion on the policy of the course which has been adopted by the House, the Committee is of opinion that the same principle which has been adopted in other cases which have been before Parliament should apply to the case of the Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee, whose duties are of a specially responsible and onerous character. 6th November, 1884.

No. 550, Sess. ll.—Petition of Honoea Oakes. The Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 7th November, 1884.

Authority: George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB4.