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

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1889 Session I, I-05

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1889. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

INDEX.

No. Petitions, &c. Page. No. Petitions, &c. Page. 287 194 A. Aiken, George, and Others Atkinson, James 4 3 109 147 K. Kearney, William, and Jenkinson, S. Kirtlan, W. >[., and Others 2 2 B. 30 L. 2 120 419 494 305 Beamish, G. J. N. Beard, James, and Others Bell, John Beyers, Charles 2 6 6 4 Lynch, J. 83 107 158 124 38 71 251 288 08 61 450 149 M. 2 2 2 2 2 5 .8 2 3 6 2 310 220 03 105 396 3C3 140 219 c. Campbell, James and Mary Chapman, G. A., and Others Clifton County Council Codling, E. Cowen, P. T., and Others Cowern, William Crawford, B. .. Cunningham, David 4 5 2 2 5 3 2 6 Maloney, I). Manley, J. McCormick, James and Henry McGiiinerty, William MoKeever, William McKemia, B. MoKenzie, Hugh McLean, George Measures, J. Millett, Thomas Morton, G., and Others Murray, Peter .. 450 440 502 158 287 143 43 122 D. Deferred-payment Settlers, HodgkmsOB .. Deferred-payment Settlers, Kurow Deferred-payment Settlors, Southland Deferred-payment Settlers, Tuapeka East.. Deferred-payment Settlers, Wairoa Donelly, J. Doughty, G. Duffy, W. .... .. 6 4 1 2 4 2 2 2 N. Naval and Military Settlers and Others o. Old Soldiers and Others 2 2 144 220 E. Harle, W. Eweburn Settlers 2 5 306 509 422 330 292 80 P. Page, Robert, and Others Patterson, James, and Others Pemberfcon Special Settlers Philips, G. W. .. Piako County Council Pringle, T. J. S. Prospecting for Minerals on Pastoral Holdings Prosser, W. H., and Others Public Reserves Act Amendment Bill 4 7 6 4 2 2 3 F. 50 Pitzpatriok, J. .. 304 5 3 G. 104 47 212 Garrard, W. G. .. Gorman, William Gower, Joseph .. 2 ' 2 2 R. 7 2 2 H. Hay, William McGregor Herbert, P. Hokianga County Council Holiday, William Horowhenua County Council 462 02 123 Beden, P. von .. Russell, A. Ryan, Simon 159 142 331 175 96 2 2 2 2 2 303 *502 s. Savage, W. H., and Others Scobie, William, and Others Selectors' Lands Revaluation Bill Smith, Arthur, and Others Soall, J. C. Stout, Sir Robert, and Others Swanston, John 5 1 4 6 1 3 2 05 119 I. Ibbott, W. Isherwood, J. C. B. 2 2 365 22 217 *463 J. Jackson, John Jenkinson, S., and Kearney, William Jones, 3. G., and Others.. 1 2 5 44 368 T. 2 3 45 109 421 Talby, P. Tansey, Michael, and Others * 1888.

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I No. Petitions, &c. Page. I ' No. Petitions, &c. Page. 11 Taranaki County Council 293 | Tauranga County Council :501 j Timms, William 420 j Todman, R. B. 0. 440 ! Turner, Charles, and Others 2 2 2 5 4 : .462 Volunteers and Others .. Von Beden, F. .. 2 7 V. 396 Village Settlers, Hukerenui 303 Village Settlers, Omaha 421 Village Settlers, Punakitere 368 Village Settlers, Woodville 6 Voakes, John j 272 , 121 167 64 ' 23 445 498 w. Waitemata County Council Warren, W. Watts, W. Whakatane County Council Wheeler, William Whyte, James, and Others Williams, Mary Wi Pere Land Bill Wood, Thomas D., and Others 2 2 2 2 2 4 6, 7 4 5 5 5 5 1 422 (88. * 11

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1889. NEW ZEALAND.

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

ORDER OF REFERENCE. Extract from the Journals of the House of 'Representatives. Tuesday, the 25th Day of June, 1889. Ordered, " That a Select Committee of fourteen members be appointed 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 or sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report; to have power to send for persons, papers, and records; five to be a quorum: the Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Ballance, Mr. Cowan, Mr. Fulton, Mr. Jo»es, Mr. Kerr, Mr. Macarthur, Mr. J. McKenzie, Mr. Ormond, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Smith, Mr. R. Thompson, Mr. Whyte, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. G. F. Richardson.)

No. 22.—Petition of J. C. Soall. The petitioner claims to have inyented a new system of musketry instruction, as also a new method of sighting rifles, &c. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above petition, have the honour to report that they recommend that it be referred to the Public Petitions M to Z Committee, as it does not come within the order of reference of this Committee. 4th July, 1889.

No. 502, 1888.—Petition of William Scobie and 13 Deferred-payment Settlers. The petitioners state they are holders of deferred-payment and perpetual-lease sections in Southland. They pray that an abatement may be made in their rents and the prices of their land. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred, have the honour to report that, as a measure is to be introduced by Government during the present session dealing with these and similar leases, the Committee have no recommendation to make. sth July, 1889.

No. 6. —Petition of John Voakes. The petitioner states that he arrived in the colony in the year 1864; that he received a grant of forty acres of land near Warkworth; that said land was entered in the Crown Lands Office, Auckland ; that Government inadvertently sold said land to another party; that in 1887 he was notified by the Crown Lands Department that he might select the same quantity of land elsewhere in the locality ; that he has not been able to do so to his satisfaction. He prays for relief. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they recommend that the petitioner be allowed to select land of equal value to that which he lost within the Land' District of Auckland. 18th July, 1889.

No. 45.—Petition of John Jackson. The petitioner states that in the year 1870 he received a promise from the Office of Confiscated Lands that a lease would be given him of six hundred acres on the Wairoa Stream ; that the said land has all been alienated except seven acres, on which he has built a flax-mill. He prays for a lease of the seven acres. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that, having read a report from the Under-Secretary of Crown Lands on the subject-matter of the petition, they approve of the action of the Government in the case, and therefore have no recommendation to make. 18th July, 1889. I—l. 5.

REPORTS OF WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mr. PULTON, CHAIBMAN.)

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Nos. 501 (1888), 38, 47, 68, 83, 105, 120, 123, 124, 159, 175, 23. 43, 62, 71, 50, 107, 121, 142, 144, 167, 30, 44, 65, 80, 104, 119, 122, 143, 146, and 169.—Petitions of Wm. Timms, Wm. McKeevee, Wm. Gorman, J. Measures, D. Maloney, E. Codling, G. J. N. Beamish, Simon Eyan, Wm. McGinneety, Wm. McGregor Hay, Wm. Holiday, Wm. Wheeler, G. Doughty, A. Eussell, E. McKenna, J. Fitzpateick, J. Manley, W. Waeeen, P. Heebeet, W. Eaele, W. Watts, J. Lynch, P. Talby, W. Ibbott, T. J. S. Pringle, W. G. Gaeeard, J. C. E. Isherwood, W. Duffy, J. Donelly, E. Ceawfoed, and William Keaeney and S. Jenkinson. The petitioners state that they are respectively either old soldiers, sailors, or military settlers who served in the colonial forces during the Maori war. They pray that they may be given grants of land or compensation for their services. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom these petitions have been referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they recommend that these thirty-one petitions be referred to jhe Naval and Military Settlers' and Volunteers' Land Claims Committee. 18th July, 1889.

No. 463, 1888.—Petition of John Swanston. The petitioner states he emigrated with his family from England to this colony in 1878 under the impression that he would receive a grant of land on his arrival; that he has not yet received such grant. He prays for relief. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they are of opinion that petitioner has no claim upon the colony. 6th August, 1889.

No. 147.—Petition of W. IT. Kirtlan and 13 Others. The petitioners state they are village settlers at Takahue, Mangonui; that the village steward has been stopping rent due out of advances for improvements and roadwork. They complain of the hardship of this action. They pray for relief. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, the Government having, in the opinion of the Committee, already dealt fairly with the petitioners, they have no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1889.

Nos. 11, 63, 64, 96, 272, 292, 293, and 331.—Petitions of the Taeanaki County Council, the Clifton County Council, the Whakatane County Council, the Hoeowhenua County Council, the Waitemata County Council, the Piako County Council, the Taubanga County Council, and the Hokianga County Council. The petitioners pray that certain amendments and alterations be made in the Land Acts of 1885 and 1887 with a view to promoting a more speedy settlement of the Crown lands of the cMony. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom these eight petitions have been referred for consideration, have the honour to report that, as the alteration in the Acts referred to therein is a question of public policy, they cannot recommend that the prayer of the petitions should be given effect to." 6th, Bth, and 15th August, 1889. ■

No. 212. —Petition of Joseph Gowee. 'The petitioner prays for a reduction in the price of his deferred-payment section No. 10, Block IX., Omapere Survey District. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 6th August, 1889.

No. 149.—Petition of Peter Murray. The petitioner states that in the year. 1882 he purchased Section No. 37, Block 111., Otago Peninsula District, believing that the boundary-lines thereof as set forth on the Crown grant and title-deeds were correct; that by subsequent surveys Sections Nos. 35, 36, 38, and 39 of the same block are made to overlap the original boundary of Section No. 37, thereby depriving petitioner of ■9 acres 2 roods 19 perches of land and the use of a stream of water running through the latter. He prays for compensation. I am directed to report that the petitioner, as appears by the documentary evidence, has a valid claim against the Government, which has not, in the opinion of the Committee, been met by the offer of £50. The Committee therefore recommend that the Government should take steps to ■come to terms with the petitioner on a fair and equitable basis. Bth August, 1889.

No. 158. —Petition of James and Henry McCoemick. The petitioners state that in the year 1881 they purchased pastoral land at Tuapeka East on deferred payment at £1 per acre. They state they now find they gave too high a price for their land. They pray that in any new measure for the relief of deferred-payment settlers pastoral lands may also be included.

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The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that, in their opinion, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. Bth August, 1889.

No. 61. Petition of Thomas Millett. The petitioner states that in the year 1864, prior to his emigrating to New Zealand, he purchased two land-grants for that colony in London ; that since his arrival he has been promised the land, but has not been given it. He prays that the land be now given to him. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition has been referred for consideration, have the honour to report that, in their opinion, the petitioner has failed to establish any claim against the colony. Bth August, 1889. .

Prospecting for Minerals on Pastoral Holdings outside the Bounds of Mining Districts, both generally and with spe.cial relation to the runs in canterbury, the leases of which have recently been disposed of. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this matter has been referred for consideration, have the honour to report that, the Hon. Minister of Lands having answered this question in the House of Representatives on the 17th July last, they have no recommendation to make thereon. Bth August, 1889.

The Public Reserves Act Amendment Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same. They recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed. 15th August, 1889.

No. 217. —Petition of Sir Robert Stout and 214 Others. The petitioners state that they are desirous of forming a Co-operative Land-settlement Company, and to obtain Crown lands either on lease or by purchase for the purpose. They pray that such maybe set apart under the special-settlement provisions of " The Land Act, 1885." The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they cannot recommend that the special terms sought for in the petition be granted, but that the petitioners be recommended, if they think proper, to apply for some specific block of land, forwarding a sketch-plan therewith, and applying for it under the provisions of " The Land Act, 1885." 15th August, 1889.

No. 194.—Petition of James Atkinson. The petitioner states that in the year 1852 he purchased fifty acres of land and subsequently fifty acres adjoining, both sections having a frontage on the left bank of the Wanganui River ; that during his absence from Wanganui the Government sold 28f acres of his river frontage to another person. He prays for compensation and a new grant of land. I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the report of the Waste Lands Committee in July, 1888, on a similar petition from the same petitioner, should be reaffirmed— viz., that the facts alleged in the petition are contrary to the evidence before the Committee, and therefore the petitioner has no claim upon the colony. ] sth August, 1889.

No. 288. —Petition of George McLean. The petitioner states he purchased from Captain McDonnell a section of land in the Patea Survey District, which section was originally a grant to one Katene; that he has been refused a title to the said section on the grounds that Katene had become a rebel; that in the year 1886 a Bill was introduced in the House of Representatives legalising his title, but it was thrown out by the Legislative Council. He prays that a title 'to the section be now granted to him. I am directed to report that the Committee are of opinion that the report of the Waste Lands Committee of 17th August, 1888, on a similar petition from same petitioner, be reaffirmed—viz., the Committee recommend that the Covermnent should take the necessary steps to convey to the petitioner the property claimed by him. 22nd August, 1889.

No. 363. —Petition of William Cowern. The petitioner states that in July, 1885, lie sold a certain block of land called Kaitangiwhenua to the Government; that said block contained a smaller block named Kerikerirua ; that by the conditions of the sale the smaller block was to be reconveyed to the petitioner after the sale; that the said latter agreement has not been carried out; that the Waste Lands Committee in 1885, and again in 1886, reported in petitioner's favour to the House, but the present Government decline to entertain his claim. He prays for relief. I am directed to report tljat the Committee are of opinion that the report of the Waste Lands Committee in August, 1885, on a similar petition from the same petitioner, should be reaffirmed viz., that the petitioner has a just claim against the Government for reasonable compensation for the evident loss he has suffered in this matter. 22nd August, 1889.

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No. 306.—Petition of Eobert Page and 32 Others. The petitioners pray that a sum of money be put upon the estimates to repair the road leading intotheir settlement at Waimamaku, the present road being in an impassable state. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom this petition was referred for consideration, have the honour to report that they recommend that the petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 22nd August, 1889.

No. 305.—Petition of Charles Bryers. The petitioner prays that his name be inserted in the Crown grant of a block of-land called Hukanui, said land having been given by the Natives to his mother for her use and benefit. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that this petition be. referred to the Native Affairs Committee. 22nd August, 1889.

The Wi Pere Land Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom wras referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same. They recommend that the Bill be allowed to proceed. 22nd August, 1889.

No. 310. —Petition of James and Mary Campbell. The petitioners state that in the year 1879 the Auckland District Land Board opened up the Waikawau Block for selection ; that the petitioners selected 150 acres of land -therein ; that they have since been unable to obtain their title thereto ; that, under the authority of the Warden of the Hauraki Mining District, certain persons have come upon petitioners' land and inflicted great loss upon them, cutting down their trees and injuring their growing crops. They claim £1,500 compensation. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that this petition be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee for consideration. 23rd August, 1889.

No. 287. —Petition of Geobge C. Aiken and Others. The petitioners state they are deferred-payment settlers at Wairoa. They pray for a reduction in the price of their land. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as provision is being made for the prayer of this petition in a Bill before the House, they have no recommendation to make. 23rd August, 1889.

No. 446.—Petition of Charles Turneb and 10 Others. The petitioners state they are deferred-payment settlers in the Kurow Land District. They pray for a reduction in the capital value of their land. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the prayer of the petition is being dealt with by a Bill before the House, they have no recommendation to make. 23rd August, 1889.

No. 445.—Petition of James Whyte and 17 Others. The petitioners state they purchased lands on the cash system from the School Commissioners of the Otago Provincial District; that they are unable to meet their engagements. They pray that provision for their relief may be made in the Bill now before the House. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they approve of the action of the School Commissioners as set forth in their letter to the Minister of Lands, dated 14th August, 1889, and the Committee, therefore, have no recommendation to make.

The Selectors' Lands Revaluation Bill. The Waste Lands Committee, to whom was referred the above Bill, have the honour to report that they have duly considered the same. They recommend that it be allowed to proceed, subject to the amendments shown in a copy of the Bill attached. 23rd August, 1889.

]Sfo 330.—Petition of G. W. Philips. The petitioner states that in 1865 his father purchased 175 acres of land at Waiparera, Auckland ; that his father shortly afterwards disappeared, and has not since been heard of; that four years ago petitioner presented a petition to Parliament asking fora title to the land; that the Waste Lands Committee then recommended "That a title be granted to the father;" that a Crown grant was issued to him in 1888 for nineteen acres. He prays that the grant be extended to the entire acreage (175 acres). The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 27th August, 1889.

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No. 304.—Petition of W. H. Pbossee and Others. The petitioners state that in 1874 Government opened up a road from Mangonui Harbour, at Butler's Point, to Omaiti, on the Whangaroa Eoad ; that the Government promised the settlers whose land was taken up for the road other land of equivalent value ; that, in consequence of this promise not having been fulfilled, the owners of the land have closed the road. They pray for inquiry and redress. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion that tin's petition should be referred to Government for consideration. 27th August, 1889.

No. 303.—Petition of Edward Savage and Others. The petitioners state they are village settlers at Big Omaha, County of Rodney. They pray —(1) for a reduction in the price of their land, (2) that they may be placed on the same footing as leaseholders under the Act of 1887. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the prayer of this petition is being dealt with by the Bill now before the House, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 27th August, 1889.

No. 251.—Petition of Hugh McKenzie. The petitioner states that in partnership with one Allan Mclntosh he leased in 1884 a pastoral run in Lake County from the Commissioners of Crown Lands for Otago for a period of fourteen years; that in the year 1887 his partner, Mr. Mclntosh, surrendered the lease without consulting or informing petitioner, and the run has since been leased to another part3 7 by the Commissioner. Petitioner does not consider himself bound by the surrender of the lease, without his consent, by his partner, and claims compensation (£1,330). The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion that petitioner has no claim upon the colony. 27th August, 1889.

No. 368.—Petition of Michael Tansey and Others. The petitioners state they are village settlers in the Maharahara Block, Woodville. They pray for a reduction in the price of their land. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the prayer of this petition is being dealt with by the Bill now before the House, they have no recommendation to make. 27th August, 1889.

No. 446.—Petition of Chaeles Tueneb and Others. The petitioners state they are deferred-payment settlers in Kurow Land District. They pray for a reduction in the capital value of their holdings. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the prayer of this petition is being dealt with by a Bill now before the House, they have no recommendation to make. 27th August 1889.

No. 396.—Petition of P. T. Cowen and Others. The petitioners state they are village settlers at Hukerenui. They pray—(l) that their land may be revalued, (2) that the Act may be amended so as to allow them to acquire the freehold of their land. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the prayer of this petition is being dealt with by a Bill now before the House, they have no recommendation to make. 27th August, 1889.

No. 421.—Petition of J. G. Jones and Others. The petitioners state they are village settlors at Punakitore. They pray that their lands may be revalued with a view to a reduction in their price. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the prayer of the petition is being dealt with by the Bill now before the House, they have no recommendation to make. 27th August, 1889.

No. 220.—Petition of G. A. Chapman and Others. The petitioners state they are settlers residing for many years in the Eweburn District, Otago. They pray that the Eweburn Eun east and south of the Eweburn Creek may be opened up for settlement. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the leases of the Eweburn Eun do not expire till the year 1893, they have no recommendation to make. 29th August, 1889.

Kfo. 420.—Petition of E. B. 0. Todmax. The petitioner states that he is administrator of the estate of the late E. B. Todman, of Middlesex, England; that by virtue of land-orders of the New Zealand Company deceased was entitled to three sections in the Town of New Plymouth ; that said sections have been inadvertently granted by the Government to other persons. Pie prays for consideration and redress. 2—l. 5.

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The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that, as the representatives of Mr. Todman are willing to accept the sections in Waitara which the Government propose to grant them, they recommend that this arrangement be given effect to. 29th August, 1889.

No. 419. —Petition, of James Beakd and Others. The petitioners state they are holders of small grazing-runs in the Mangawhero and Ngamatea Survey Districts. They pray that a clause may be added to "The Land Act Amendment Act, 1887," empowering them to transfer their tenure from tinder "The Land Ac*, 1885," to those sections of " The Land Act Amendment Act, 1887," winch apply to lands held under the perpetuallease system. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they have no reeommendaticfn to make. 29th August, 1889.

No. 450.—Petition of G. Morton and Others The petitioners state they are deferred-payment settlers residing on Hodgkinson Township. They pray for a reduction in the price of their land. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. sth September, 1889.

No. 365.—Petition of Abthub Smith and Others. The petitioners state they are all settlers in the Teviot District ; they pray that run No. 199, Teviot District, may be cut up at the expiration of the present lease into blocks of two thousand to five thousand acres, to enable them to acquire sheep-runs in the neighbourhood of their friends and the district in which they have lived. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report as follows: The Committee are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the prayer of the petition be given effect to as far as possible at the expiration of the present lease. " sth September, 1889.

No. 422.—Petition of Thomas D. Wood and Others. The petitioners state they are .members of the Pemberton Special-settlement Association; that, owing to the defalcations and the absconding of their late secretary, they petitioned Parliament in session 1888 for relief ; that the Waste Lands Committee reported on the petition during that session recommending that the Government should deal leniently with the petitioners; that such recommendation has not been carried out by the Government. They pray for further consideration and relief. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report as follows : The Committee recommend that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. sth September, 1889.

No. 219.—Petition of David Cunningham. The petitioner states that in the year 1881 he built a house at Awhitu, District of Auckland, on a section of land then in possession of one D. Maloney ; that owing to its subsequently transpiring that Maloney had not taken out a Crown grant for the section the latter reverted to the Crown, and was sold by auction with petitioner's house upon it. Petitioner claims £10 compensation. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th September, 1889.

No. 494.—Petition of John Bell. The petitioner states that in the year 1883 he purchased an allotment in Chapel Street, Auckland; that prior to his purchase the said allotment was surveyed by a Government Surveyor, who afterwards gave evidence in the Land Transfer Court to the effect that this allotment was of the specified area; that on petitioner receiving a good offer for the allotment it was again surveyed, and found deficient in area to the extent of 83-J- square feet less than that shown on the original plan ; that he has been offered £50 compensation by the Government for the loss he has sustained. He does not consider this amount sufficient; and prays either arbitration or a return of his purchase-money, with a sum equal to the expense he has been put to. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th September, 1889.

.No. 498.---Petition of Maky Williams. The petitioner states that she is the widow of John Williams, who was the owner of land at Fern Hat, Inangahua; that in the year 1887 over three acres of her husband's grass land was taken up.by the Government and cut off his property for road-making purposes ; that neither her husband nor petitioner have received any compensation for the land taken. She prays for consideration and redress.

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The Waste Lands Committee- have the honour to report that they are of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government with a recommendation that the sum of £8 be paid to petitioner in discharge of all claims. 10th September, 1889.

No. 462. —Petition of F. yon Redkn and Others. The petitioners pray that a road may be constructed to connect Eketahuna with the West Coast via Shannon, with a view to open up settlement west of Bketahuna, and that a sum of money be placed upon the estimates for that purpose. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report as follows: The Committee recommend that this petition be referred to Government for favourable consideration. 11th September, 1889. •

No. 498.—Petition of Mary Williams (Second Report). The petitioner states that she is the widow of the late John Williams, who resided at Pern Flat, Inangahua; that in the year 1887 over three acres of grass and tillage land were surveyed by Government and cut off her husband's property at Fern Flat for road-making purposes ; that neither her husband nor petitioner have received any compensation for the land so taken. She prays for compensation and redress. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report that they have reconsidered this petition. The Committee recommend that the Government be requested to wraive any technical objections to this claim, which, in the opinion of the Committee, should be referred to a local Compensation Court for adjustment. 11th September, 1889.

No. 509. —Petition of -James Patterson and Others. The petitioners pray that at the expiration of the present lessee's lease of Station Peak Run, in the year 1890, the latter may be cut up into small runs and offered for sale. The Waste Lands Committee have the honour to report as follows: The Committee are of opinion that the Government, before giving effect to the report of the Classification Commissioners in the case of the Station Peak Run, should make full inquiries into the statements made in the petition, with a view of having the runs dealt within the interest of settlement. 11th September, 1889. [Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation nil; printing i L,250 copies) £5 13s.]

Authority : Gicobcb Didsbuky, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB9.