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Sess. 11.—1887. NEW ZEALAND.

Presented to the House of Representatives, Sess. 11., 1887, and ordered to be printed.

Education Beserves Settlement Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and they recommend that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in a copy of the Bill attached hereto. 16th November, 1887.

No. 165, Sess. I. —Betition of John Neal and Others, Homestead-settlers, Otonga and Opuawhanga. The petitioners ask that they may have the same privileges as regards digging for gum within the Buhipuhi Forest as the village-settlers. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 18th November, 1887. ■

No. 51. —Betition of Denis Muephy. The petitioner states that the Waste Lands Board of the Frovince of Auckland, in 1880, advertised Block XII., Te Aroha District, for sale under the deferred-payments Act; that he applied to purchase Section No. 15 in the above block; that three others applied at the same time for the same section ; that the Commissioner of Crown Lands submitted Section No. 15 to auction between himself and the three other applicants; that the other three applicants had applied for other sections in the block, therefore that the action of the Commissioner was illegal; that in consequence of the auction he had to pay £105 above the upset price. He prays that the House will grant to him the title of Section No. 15, Block XII, Te Aroha Survey District, Frovince of Auckland, at the upset price of £2 per acre. I have the honour to report that this is the same case of Denis Murphy, of the 29th June, 1886, and that the report be reaffirmed, namely, that the petitioner has no claim. 18th November, 1887.

No. 115.—Betition of Sabah McLeod. The petitioner prays that, as scrip for forty acres of land has been lost by her solicitor, the late Mr. Brandon, and as no trace of it can be discovered, the House will cause inquiry to be made, or issue a new scrip, or grant a sum of money equal to value of original scrip. I have the honour to report that, after the most careful examination of the public records, there is nothing to show petitioner has any claim. 18th November, 1887.

No. 74. —Betition of the Mayor and Councillors of Gisborne. The petitioners pray that, in the interest of settlement and the more profitable occupation of land in Cook County, a Land Board may be established at Gisborne. I have the honour to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is a matter of public policy, the Committee recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. I.Bth November, 1887.

No. 5. —Betition of James Gill. The petitioner states that he received land-scrip from the Agent-General entitling him to five acres of land on certain conditions; that want of money and employment compelled him to leave the land for some years, and on his return he found he had been reported dead, and that his allotment wa.s occupied by another man. He prays that he may be grantedrelief. I have the honour to report that the Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has no claim. 18th November, 1887.

REPORTS OF WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mb. FULTON, CHAIRMAN.)