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1890. NEW ZEALAND.

DUMMYISM (REPORT OF THE WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE ON THE SUBJECT OF), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF EVIDENCE AND APPENDIX.

Beport brought up 2nd September, and ordered to be printed.

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Fbiday, the 4th Day of July, 1890. Resolved, " That, allegations having been made that dummyism has taken place in regard to the selection of land in the Canterbury District and elsewhere, it be an instruction to the Waste Lands Committee to inquire into and report as early as possible upon the truth of such allegations, and what steps, if any, ought to be taken in regard to sucli dummyism, if it exists." —(Hon. Mr. Hislop.)

EEPOET. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that the evidence adduced before them during the dummyism inquiry having shown conclusively that the Land Acts have been in a number of instances evaded by false declarations, made with a view to dummying, the Committee is of opinion that it is the duty of the Government to take steps to enforce the law ; and recommend that offenders against whom a charge will lie be prosecuted, with a view to the putting a stop to the like practices in the future. James Fulton, Chairman. 2nd September, 1890.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Thursday, 10th July, 1890. Present: Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Kerr, Mr. McKenzie, Mr. Ormond, Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Smith, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Whyte. Minutes of previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Fulton, Chairman of the Committee, was absent owing to illness. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Eichardson, Mr. Whyte was unanimously elected to act as Chairman. Order of reference, instructing the Committee to inquire into and report upon the allegations that dummyism exists at land-sales in the colony, read. The Committee entered upon the inquiry. On motion of Mr. McKenzie, Resolved, That the evidence given at the inquiry should be taken down by a shorthand-reporter. I—l. sa.