I.—sa.

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORT OF THE) ON THE LAND BILL, TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Brought up 25th August, 1892, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House, of Representatives. Tuesday, the sth Day of July, 1892. Ordered, " That a Committee bo appointed, consisting of ten members, to consider all Bills and petitions that may be introduced into this House affecting the waste lands of the Crown, and to report generally on the principles and provisions which they contain, with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and agree to a joint or separate report; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records; three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Rolloston, Mr. Duncan, Mr. W. C. Smith, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Meredith, Mr. G. H. Mills, Mr. R. Thompson, Mr. Mackintosh, and the mover." —(Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie.)

Thursday, the 7th Day of July, 1892. Ordered, " That the names of Mr. T. Mackenzie and Mr. Lake be added to the Waste Lands Committee."—(Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie.)

Memorandum for the Chairman of the Waste Lands Committee. The Bill intituled the Land Bill was read a second time in the House of Representatives on the 10th August, and, by order of the House, stands referred to the Waste Lands Committee for report. Geobge Friend, House of Representatives, 11th August 1892. Clerk, House of Representatives.

REPORT. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same, and beg to recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed with the amendments thereto, which are shown on the attached copy of the Bill. E. Thompson, Chairman.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

Monday, 15th August, 1892. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. E. Thompson (Chairman), Mr. Duncan, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Lake, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Meredith, Mr. C. H. Mills, Hon. Mr. Eolleston, and Mr. W. C. Smith. The Surveyor-General, Mr. S. Percy Smith, was also in attendance. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee then took up consideration of the Land Bill. Preamble postponed. Clause 1, short title read and agreed to. Clause 2, read and agreed to. Clause 3 read. Amendments proposed, page 6, after line 7, To insert the words " 'Lease in perpetuity' means a lease of land granted under this Act for a term of nine hundred and ninetynine years." On the question being put, That the words proposed to be inserted stand part of the clause, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow: Ayes, 6 —Mr. Duncan, I—l. sa.