REPORT.

SYNOPSIS. PART I.—PAST HISTORY AND PRESENT STATE OF THE LAND CLAIMS. I.—OLD LAND CLAIMS. Notice 6th December, 1844, limiting amount of lands l ' P ti'h Government tiVeS establishment of Bri " bought under respective ProclamaProhibited by Proclamation, 14th Jan., 1840. „ , , , , , Commissioners to investigate, &c., appointed by Or- Lord Stanley reluctantly recognizes the sales. dinance Sess. 1, No. 2. " 3. Sir G. Grey's attempts to settle the claims. Ordinance Sess. 2, No. 14, disallowed. Notices of 15th June, 1846—• 2. Proceedings under above Ordinances. ' n § ar^ er purchases. Awards of Commissioners. Calling for plans and surveys within three months, Altered by Governor Fitzroy's Commissioner. or claims to be quashed. Grants issued by Governor Fitzroy. Their imper- Ordinance Sess. i, ]So. 2_, ofierinT compensation in fections. Colonial Debentures, or opportunity of repurchase Scrip issued by Governor Fitzroy. from Government. 3. Sir George Grey's attempts to settle these claims. 4 ' Lord Gre y directs Government faith to be kept with Quieting Titles Ordinance, Sess 10. No. 4. claimants, so far as the law strictly demands. Declares old grants valid, under conditions. 5. Sir G. Grey's consequent notices of 10th August, 1847, Compensation in money or other lands to be made ofi'ering three modes of settlement to claimants— where land granted could not be obtained. i. Compliance with the Proclamations, to be certi4. Results of the above measure. .. fied by Attorney-General. Very few grantees adopt its provisions. Acceptance of terms of Ordinance Sess. 7, Causes which rendered it inoperative. 5. Present state of the claims and lands claimed. iil N( T te ™ 3 of lands from GovernClaims divided into seven classes. mcat > at ss ' P or aore ' &c " State of lands affected by them. 6. Results of the above measures. . 10s. claims, grants issued, &c. lI.—PREEMPTION WAIVER CLAIMS. if al ,' acro c , lai ™ s ' A umber settled by grants, 1. Governor Fitzroy waives Crown's right of preemption Or by compensation, under certain conditions. Or disallowed under notices of ] sth June, 1846, and Proclamation 26th Marsh, 1844 (10s. per acre fees). 10th August, 1847, respectively. Proclamation 10th October, 1844 (Id. per acre fees). PART lI.—MODE OF DEALING WITH THE CLAIMS RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE. 1. Appointment of a Court of Commissioners to settle In cases not hitherto decided. Commissioners to bo claims recommended. bound by scale in Ordinance Sess. 1, No. 2, and Why such a measure necessary. by maximum, &c. Court should have a general discretionary power, yet ii. Pre-emption Claims. its operation be guided by enactment of general 10s. claims viitually settled. r j .' . . Id. an acre claims. Its decisions to be without appeal. Where grants have been issued considered as settled. 2. Constitution of Court, &c. Claims disallowed under notices of 15th June, 1846, Judges of Supreme Court should be included in it. and 10th August, 1847, may be reheard. Assistant Commissioners or Surveyors to visit every Ternis of third alternative, in notice of 10th Audistrict, and collect evidence, &c., as essential to gust, 1.547, to be adhered to in award of lamda. ascertain wherever natives oppose claims. Reasons Courts to be held at central places. iii Completion of Title. Lands to be surveyed. Goveruo:' . :.v complete title of claiman is in certain cu^c-. 3. Particular rules for guidance of Commissioners. * Vt Compensation. General power in special cases of proved injustice. Rules for compensation, where necesfaiyto be . i >-n. . No new claims to be received. No transferable or money scrip o be issued, but i. Old Land Claims. specific portions of lands assigned, Where grants have been issued— Where practicable, out of land or. ":: ally claime i Old grants to be called in and cancelled, and new or out ofland acqmredfor Governor i xUio; = issued. Amount of compensation in respect of Id. r re Conditions of the new grants. claims. Amount of grants, recite grantees entitled to, and When land has been sold by Government, 1 not more than one-sixth to be given where lands be es^imated. undisputed. All compensation claims to be considered befc Where no grants have been issued— awarded. Ot remaining classes, which to be heard, and which 4. Act should be passed embodying recommendatic not - Committee. *