REPORTS OF WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mr. R. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1896 Session I, I-05

1.-5

1896. NEW ZEALAND.

REPORTS OF WASTE LANDS COMMITTEE. (Mr. R. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN.)

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

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Thursday, the 25th Day of June, 1896. Ordered, " That a Committee be 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 to 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 Mr. Duncan, Mr. Green, Mr. Hall, Mr. Hogg, Mr. Lang, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. Mackintosh, Mr. Meredith, Mr. R. Thompson, and the Mover."— (Hon. Mr. J. McKenzie.)

Thursday, the 23rd Dat of July, 1896. Ordered, " That the petition of Eliza Moir be referred to the Waste Lands Committee."—(Mr. Meredith.)

INDEX.

No. Petitions, &c. Page. No. Petitions, &c. Page. A. F. 214 11 Aitken, James Ashford, F. 7 5 357 508* Fancett, Arthur Flynn, John 9 2 B. Baigent, H. and T. J. Bates, Russell Baumar, Daniel, and Others Bayer, Eritz Beale, Mary E. .. Bentley, J. D. .. Borton, John Boyd, S., and Others Bunting, W. G. 358 17 G. 9 2 82 179 514 119 515* 124 19 134 500 5 8 11 7 3 7 6 6 11 Glasson, A.J... Graham, William Nassau 223 362 H. Halliwell, George, and Archibald, William Hudson, Josiah 7 10 I. 5 c. Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Alexander P., and Others Campbell, Eliza Campbell, J. H., and Others Carswell, Ann Castle, John, and Others Chadwick, William, and Others .. Chapman, Isaac Cherry, Francis Clark, J. L. Colvin, John Croker, Samuel, and Others Cronin, John .. .. 3 8 8 5 4 8 8 3 10 3 4 11 3 142 Ingles, John 502* 315 260 55 3 326 257 96 40 76 81 496 86 24 69 JJohnstone, Rose A. Jones, John L. Le Noel, C, and Others .. Lestor, R. E., and Others Longman, John, and Others 6 3 2 7 6 ! 57 224 111 I M. 2 10 9 7 9 2 9 9 8 10 9 191 130 D. Davis, John (Wirokino Road District) Draper, G. W. .. E. ; 10 7 516* 402 356 135 302 21 16 | 222 j 263 I 394 367 Macartney, David Macrae, E., and Others Maddill, Adam, and Others Maher, Mary Matheson, Duncan, and Others McAdie, James, and Others McCaskill, J. M. McCormick, R. J. E. McDonald, J. K.., and Others McDonald, W. D. S., and Others McDougall, S. H. .. 38 13 .14 .08 :59 Egan, Daniel Elliott, George, and Others Elliott, John (2) Elliott, John (1) Elwin, James J., and Others 3 5 4 5 11 •11 895. —I. 5.

1.—5

2

INDEX— continued.

No. 21.—Petition of James McAdie and Others. Petitioners, who are settlers at Ida Valley, Otago, pray to have Run No. 261 thrown open for settlement. I have the honour to report that it is the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th July, 1896.

No. 57. —Petition of C. le Noel and Others. Petitioners state that they are cut off from the surrounding districts through having no legal outlet, and pray that a road recently surveyed be proclaimed a public road. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 7th July, 1896.

No. 508, 1895.—Petition of John Flynn. Petitioner prays for a pension or some other relief for rendering military service to the colony. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 7th July, 1896.

No. 516, 1895.—Petition of David Macartney. Petitioner prays for a grant of 80 acres of land for military services he has rendered the colony. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 7th July, 1896.

No. 15.—Petition of W. J. Smith. Petitioner, an old soldier of the 65th Regiment, eighty-three years of age, prays for a weekly allowance in food or money. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this case is a special one, and should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 7th July, 1896.

No. 17. —Petition of William Nassau Graham. Petitioner is a licensee of certain land by consent of the Auckland Crown Lands Board, the said land being valued at 15s. per acre. He prays that the valuation may be reduced to 10s. per acre. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Auckland Crown Lands Board. 7th July, 1896.

No. Petitions, &c. Page. No. Petitions, &c. Page. S43 !09 ,71 112 .17 156 .49 34 .67 33 93 McKeever, William McKenzie, Donald, and Others McNamara, Michael McReynolds, Thomas Meikle, William, and Others Mitchell, J. W., and Others Moir, Eliza Montague, Frank, and others Motley, Joseph, and Others Muir, Joseph, and Others Mullooly, Michael 8 5 11 10 7 10 8 4 6 4 4 242 235 47 151 97 479* 15 88 R. Riches, Arthur E., and Others Robinson, John .. Rowley, Edward, and Others s. Seanlon, Michael Schmidt, George, and Another Seddon,E. A. .. Smith, W.J. .. Southerly, Samuel 7 7 4 9 4 9 2 6 26 120 276 T. 10 6 8 N. Thomson, John Tripp, C. G., and Others Turley, S., and Others .70 .71 Norman, Richard Norman, Richard, and Maidman, Henry .. 6 6 o. Otago Presbyterian Church, Property Board. 11 29 359 355 83 182 w. Walker, John H. Watson, William Webster, R. F., and Others White, A. H. .. Wilson and Bloomfield and Others 3 9 9 3 7 147 P. 3 9 79 no Parsons, James Patterson, Geo. W. S., and Others * 1895.

3

1.—5

No. 515, 1895.—Petition of Mary E. Beale. Petitioner, as the administratrix of her husband's estate, prays that the amount of land —220 acres —to which he was entitled as an immigrant may be granted to her. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 7th July, 1896.

No. 502, 1895.—Petition of Alexander Campbell. Petitioner prays for relief for loss sustained by his brother and himself through not complying with the regulations laid down for the purchase of their leased lands at Table Hill district, Otago. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, as this petition was reported on to the House in 1891, the Committee have no recommendation to make. 7th July, 1896.

No. 29. —Petition of John H. Walker. Petitioner prays for a grant of land for military services rendered the colony. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee considers that this man has a bond fide claim, and recommends that his petition be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. Bth July, 1896.

No. 79. —Petition of James Parsons. Petitioners pray for a grant of £200 for the purpose of grading Parson's Hill, Buller County. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. . Bth July, 1896.

No. 83.—Petition of A. H. White. Petitioner prays for a grant of land on account of military services rendered the colony. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. Bth July, 1896.

No. 69.—Petition of John Jones. Petitioner states that he has no available road to his homestead, and prays that a road be taken under the Public Works Act through adjoining property to enable him to have legal access to his land. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, they have no recommendation to make. Bth July, 1896.

No. 86.—Petition of John Cronin. Petitioner prays that something may be done by the House, during the present session, in respect to his petition presented in 1895. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. Bth July, 1896.

No. 76. —Petition of J. L. Clark and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £100 for roadwork in Tangihua Survey District, Auckland Province. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. Bth July, 1896.

No. 38. —Petition of Daniel Egan. Petitioner prays for relief on account of injury sustained whilst engaged looking after road-forma-tion by Natives at East Cape. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Public Petitions Committee A to L. 9th July, 1896.

No. 96.—Petition of Isaac Chapman. Petitioner prays for redress on account of loss sustained through the deviation of a road at Larrikin's, Westland. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Goldfields and Mines Committee. 9th July, 1896.

1.—5

4

No. 3.—Petition of Ann Carswell. Petitioner claims to be the first child born of British parents in New Zealand, and prays that, as she has no land in the colony, she be granted a suitable section as a homestead in the land of her nativity. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th July, 1896.

No. 81. —Petition of John Colvin. Petitioner states that his title to certain land wrongly vested in the Corporation of the City of Dunedin was successfully proven ; that in endeavouring to establish his rights he incurred expenses amounting to nearly £100. He prays for relief. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th July, 1896.

No. 33. —Petition of Joseph Muir and Others. Petitioners pray that a road may be constructed connecting the Takahue Settlement with Kaitara and the Victoria Valley, Province of Auckland. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 14th July, 1896.

No. 34.—Petition of Frank Montague and Others. Petitioners pray for a sum of money to open a road in the Hukerenui district, Auckland. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 14th July, 1896.

No. 93.—Petition of Michael Mullooly. Petitioner states that, owing to the action of the Government Land Purchase Agent gazetting Uawa No. 1 Block under "The Native Land Purchase Act, 1878," he became a loser to the extent of £1,400. He prays for redress. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the petitioner has no claim against the colony. 14th July, 1896.

No. 47.—Petition of Edward Rowley and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £300 to construct a road from their holdings to the Main North Road. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 16th July, 1896.

No. 97. —Petition of George Schmidt and Another. Petitioners pray for a reduction in the valuation of their holdings on account of loss sustained through the sale by the Crown Lands Department of the foreshore reserve to deep water at Tapu Point, Russell Survey District. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 16th July, 1896.

No. 114.—Petition of John Elliott (No. 2). Petitioner states that through irregularity of application his sons' lease of 1,500 acres of land, with the right to purchase at 7s. 6d. per acre, was cancelled. That, on behalf of his son Ambrose Elliott, he had expended £632 on survey, clearing, and sowing. On the land being again offered for sale he, being the only applicant, secured again the said land, but the capital value had been increased to 10s. per acre. He submits that he should not be called on in consequence of an error of judgment to pay an additional 2s. 6d. per acre and lose the £75 paid for survey. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of the opinion that the petitioner has suffered sufficiently for the act of carelessness which he appears to have committed, and that the original applicant should be placed in the position which he would have occupied had no forfeiture taken place. 29th July, 1896.

5

1.—5

No. 108. —Petition of John Elliott (No. 1). Petitioner states that in 1891 he acquired, on behalf of his wife, 700 acres of land at Awakino; that he has sustained great loss in consequence of having to defend two charges of dummyism in connection therewith, from which he was entirely exonerated after full and exhaustive inquiries by the Auckland Land Board ; and, as he cannot afford to bear the loss entailed, he prays for relief. I have the honour to report that the Committee is of opinion that, although in the case of Mrs. Elliott's application a technical breach of the Act was committed, the evidence fails to disclose any corrupt evasion of the law on the part of the petitioner, and the abject apology of McCutchon indicates that the proceedings taken against the petitioner originated in private malice. The Committee recommends the prayer of the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. 29th July, 1896.

No. 142. —Petition of John Ingles and 274 Others. Petitioners state that they are engaged in mining, farming, and fruit-culture in the valley of the Clutha, and pray that the Moa Flat Estate be purchased and thrown open for settlement. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 30th July, 1896.

No. 82. —Petition of H. and T. J. Baigent. Petitioners state that they made application in due form, and paid the necessary fee, for lease of Section 14, District of Takaka, Nelson, and that their application was gazetted in the usual manner ; also, that their request was never refused by the Nelson Land Board. Subsequently the said Board sold the said section to W. A. Barnett. The Supreme Court upheld Barnett's purchase. Therefore, through the negligence of the officers of the Board aforesaid, they (the petitioners) have lost the land. They pray for the payment to them of £150 as compensation for loss and expenses incurred. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that in equity Messrs. Baigent are entitled to some compensation, and recommend the Government to pay them the sum of £50 in full of all claims for expenses incurred by them, and that the said £50 should be charged by the Government against the Clerk and the Commissioners of the Nelson Land Board for reason of their carelessness and dereliction of duty; but the Committee cannot relieve Messrs. Baigent of their share of negligence in allowing such a length of time to elapse before making inquiry as to the result of their application to the Board. 30th July, 1896.

No. 209. —Petition of Donald McKenzie and Others. Petitioners pray for a parliamentary inquiry into their position as small grazing-run tenants, in respect to their contracts with and treatment by the Canterbury Land Board. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government. 30th July, 1896.

No. 11. —Petition of F. Ashpord. Petitioner prays for a grant of land equal in value to the passage-moneys paid by him for himself and family to the colony in 1856. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the petitioner has no claim. 4th August, 1896.

No. 55. —Petition of J. H. Campbell and Others. Petitioners pray that a road be surveyed from the Martin's Bay Settlement, vi& the Hollyford Valley, to Lake Wakatipu. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th August, 1896.

No. 13. —Petition of George Elliott and Others. Petitioners pray for a yearly subsidy to enable them to keep the Great South Road, Auckland, in repair. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 4th August, 1896.

1.—5

6

No. 24. Petition of Rose A. Johnstone. Petitioner prays that she be allowed the value of the improvements (£700) on the section of land in Invercargill which herself and predecessors had held possession of for over twenty years, but now claimed by the Public Trustee under "The Unclaimed Lands Act, 1892." I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of the opinion that the petitioner has no legal claim, but the Committee would be glad if the Public Trustee could see his way to make the petitioner some allowance, in terms of clause 7 of " The Unclaimed Lands Act, 1894," for the money expended on improvements. 4th August, 1896.

No. 111.—Petition of John Longman and 250 Others. Petitioners ask for a sum of money to be placed on the estimates sufficient to buy a piece of land for a recreation-ground and cemetery at Belfast. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government. 4th August, 1896.

No. 19.—Petition of John Borton. Petitioner states that at the time the Government purchased the Maerewhenua Estate from him several portions, amounting to about 250 acres, were omitted through an inaccurate plan of the said estate having been furnished the Commissioner of Crown Lands, Dunedin. He prays that the several parcels of land aforesaid be bought from him at the price paid for the bulk of the estate. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. sth- August, 1896.

No. 167. —Petition of Joseph Motley and Others. Petitioners pray that a reserve in the Gorge Survey District, consisting of 2,200 acres of land, should be thrown open for settlement. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. sth August, 1896.

Nos. 170 and 171. —Petitions of Richard Norman, and Richard Norman and Henry Maidman. Petitioners pray for legislation to enable the Mount Barker farmers to obtain Crown grants for their farms. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government. sth August, 1896.

No. 88.—Petition of Samuel Southerly. Petitioner alleges that the District Agent for the Public Trustee committed irregularities in not opening tenders for the lease of Lot 4, Section 12 (a Native reserve), Mechanics Bay, Auckland, at the proper time, and in not putting up the lease by public auction. He prays that the lease granted to Grandison be cancelled, or for other relief. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee have no recommendation to make. 6th August, 1896.

No. 120.—Petition of C. G. Tripp and Others. Petitioners pray that a rabbit-proof fence be erected to protect South Canterbury from the incursion of rabbits, and suggest a line from the Waitaki, past Fairlie, to the Rangitata, estimating the cost at £20,000. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 6th August, 1896.

No. 134. —Petition of S. Boyd and Others. Petitioners pray for a sum of £250 for road-work in the Waikiekie and Ruarangi Districts, Auckland Provincial District. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 6th August, 1896.

7

1.—5

No. 214.—Petition of James Aiken. Petitioner states that he petitioned Parliament in 1894 for the costs (£160) he incurred in defending an action for trespass in the Supreme Court, the said action arising through the negligence of the Survey Department in omitting to delineate a public road on the deed of the land granted to Mrs. Clark, of Tokatoka, Auckland; that a Committee of the House recommended his petition to the favourable consideration of the Government. He again prays for relief. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee regret that the Government has not given effect to the recommendation of the Public Petitions A to L Committee in the year 1894, and recommends that the prayer of the petitioner be granted. 7th August, 1896.

No. 182.—Petition of Wilson and Bloomfield and 75 Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £600 to survey and construct a road to connect the Main North Road with the Waiotu Block, North Auckland. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 7th August, 1896.

No. 235.—Petition of John Robinson. Petitioner prays for a grant of land for his military services. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of the opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government. 7th August, 1896.

Nos. 223 and 224.—Petitions of George Halliwell and William Archibald, and R. E. Lestor and Others. Petitioners pray for a road to be constructed to connect Kokukohu with Motukaraka, County of Hokianga. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Government. 7th August, 1896.

No. 117.—Petition of William Meikle and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £250 to enable them to procure scoria for road-work in the vicinity of Swanson, Auckland. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 11th August, 1896.

Nos. 124 and 135.—Petitions of J. D. Bentley and Mary Maher. Petitioners pray that their claims to grants of land may be considered. I have the honour to report that, these petitions having been considered and referred to the Government in 1895 by the Waste Lands Committee, it has no further recommendation to make. 11th August, 1896.

No. 230.—Petition of G. W. Draper. Petitioner prays that the recommendation of the Waste Lands Committee in 1894 be given effect to. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of the opinion that, having considered this petition and referred it to the Government in 1895, it has no further recommendation to make. 11th August, 1896.

No. 242. —Petition of Arthur E. Riches and Others. Petitioners pray that some land near Woodburg may be procured for the purpose of settlement. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 11th August, 1896.

No. 119. —Petition of Fritz Bayer and Another. Petitioners pray for a road to their homesteads. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 12th August, 1896.

1.—5.

No. 149.—Petition of Eliza Moir. Petitioner states that through the action of the Rodney County Council, in taking a road through her land, and the burning of her fences, she has been deprived of the means of obtaining a livelihood. She prays for redress. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 12th August, 1896.

No. 179. —Petition of Russell Bates. Petitioner prays for a reduction in the valuation of his section of 100 acres, No. 4, Kai-Iwi Survey District. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make 12th August, 1896.

No. 260.—Petition of Eliza Campbell. Petitioner states that, through no fault of hers or her co-partners, their land was forfeited and sold by the Government, to their great injury and loss. She prays for redress. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 12th August, 1896.

No. 257. —Petition of William Chadwick and 70 Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £250 to grade and form a road between Pahi and Paparoa, Auckland. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government. 13th August, 1896. I

No. 263. —Petition of J. K. McDonald and Others. Petitioners pray for the construction of a bridge and two miles of road between the Waingaro and Ohautira Streams, Raglan County. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 13th August, 1896.

No. 326. —Petition of John Castle and Others. Petitioners pray that the Waitemata Council be granted a sum of £500 for the purpose of extending the metal from Waikomiti to Piha. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Minister of Lands for his consideration when the public works estimates are being prepared. 20th August, 1896.

No. 315.—Petition of Alex. P. Campbell and Others. Petitioner prays for a grant of £100 to construct a road from the Pataua River to Parua Bay, Whangarei County. 1 have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Minister of Lands for his consideration when the public works estimates are being prepared. 20th August, 1896.

No. 343. —Petition of William McKeever. Petitioner prays that his claim for land for military services be satisfied. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 20th August, 1896.

No. 276. —Petition of S. Turley and Others. Petitioners pray that the Government will obtain a vote from Parliament to enable it to construct a bridge across the Waikato River at Tuakau, and charge the cost thereof against the price of the land acquired in the Opuatia Block; and that the Government will at once have the land acquired in Opuatia Block cut up into suitable areas and small farms, and thrown open for selection. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Minister of Lands for his consideration when the public works estimates are being prepared. 20th August, 1896.

8

9

1.—5

No. 151.—Petition of Michael Scanlon. Petitioner prays that Section No. 15 of the Pahiatua-Puketoi Special Settlement (for which he had paid, and which had unnecessarily been gazetted a school reserve) be returned to him. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the petitioner should, if possible, be placed in possession of the land. 20th August, 1896.

No. 479 of 1895.—Petition of E. A. Seddon. Petitioner prays that the sums of money received as rent by the Government from her for her section at Rotorua, together with the costs of improvements on the land, may be returned to her. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd September, 1896.

. No. 367.—Petition of S. H. MacDougall. Petitioner, who is a Crown tenant in the County of Tauranga, states that he has suffered severely by having his pasture and stock destroyed by fires in the years 1894 and 1895, the said fires having been ignited by contractors working for the County Council. He prays that the benefits of the Pastoral Tenants' Relief Act may be extended to him. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that the application should be dealt with by the Minister of Lands and the Auckland Land Board. 2nd September, 1896.

No. 302.—Petition of Duncan Matheson and Others. Petitioners pray that Run No. 167, in the Provincial District of Canterbury, be let to them at the Commissioners' valuation, or a reduction made in the rent of both runs, Nos. 167 (as aforesaid) and 168. • I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 2nd September, 1896.

No. 310.—Petition of George W. S. Patterson and 147 Others. Petitioners pray that provision may be made for constructing and repairing the main road between Waitangi Falls and Ohaeawai, Kaikohe and Taheke. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee this petition should be referred to the Government. 2nd September, 1896.

No. 16.—Petition of J. M. McCaskill. Petitioner prays for compensation for loss sustained to the extent of £1,600 during the Maori war. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1896.

No. 222.—Petition of R. J. E. McCormick. Petitioner states that his section of land at Te Aroha was forfeited by the Auckland Land Board without satisfactory reason. He prays for compensation. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 4th September, 1896.

Nos. 355, 356, 357, and 358.—Petitions of R. F. W BBST ER an d Others; Adam Maddill and Others; Arthur Faucett and Others; and A. J. Glasson and Others. Petitioners pray that the Government will obtain a vote from Parliament to enable it to construct a bridge across the Waikato River at Tuakau, and charge the cost thereof against the price of the land acquired in Opuatia Block ; and at once have the said land acquired in the said block cut up into suitable areas and small farms, and thrown open for selection. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, these petitions should be referred to the Minister of Lands for his consideration when the public works estimates are being prepared. 4th September, 1896.

No. 359. —Petition of William Watson and Others. Petitioners pray that Run No. 223 a, Provincial District of Otago, be at once thrown open for settlement. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to Government for consideration. 4th September, 1896. 2—l. 5.

1.—5

10

No. 402.—Petition of E. Macrae and Others. Petitioners state they are ratepayers and settlers in the Mokoia Riding, Hawera County, and pray for legislation to authorise the Domain Board to hand over all accumulated and future rents derived from the recreation ground to the County Council for the purpose of road maintenance in the aforesaid riding. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th September, 1896.

No. 394.—Petition of W. D. S. McDonald and Others. Petitioners pray that 500 acres of land in the Waipiro No. 6 or Te Puia Block, East Coast, North Island, be proclaimed a Native township under the provisions of " The Native Townships Act, 1895," with as little delay as possible. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands* Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 10th September, 1896.

No. 362. —Petition of Josiah Hudson and Others. Petitioners pray for assistance to maintain the Warkworth-Te Pahi Road. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Government. 10th September, 1896.

No. 40. —Petition of Francis Cherry. Petitioner prays for a full inquiry into his claims for compensation for the loss of portions of his land, seized by the Rodney County Council or Road Board, and proclaimed public roads without due notice to him, and without paying the sum of money awarded to him by the arbitrators for redress. I have the honour to report that, as the Waste Lands Committee in 1894 referred the question involved in this petition to the Government for consideration, it has now no reason to alter the recommendation made. 10th September, 1896.

No. 26. —Petition of John Thomson. Petitioner prays for an inquiry into the loss he has sustained through the alteration of the original boundaries of his land by the Survey Department ; also, the loss occasioned by the action of the Upper Mahurangi Road Board delaying for over four years to pay the compensation awarded him for land taken for roads. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th September, 1896.

No. 391. —Petition of John Davis for the Wirokino Road District. Petitioner, on behalf of the Wirokino Road District, prays for assistance to maintain the Horowhenua Beach Road, which has become almost impassable through the constant and heavy traffic to and from the State Farm, from which the said Board receives no rates. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 11th September, 1896.

No. 512. —Petition of Thomas Mcßeynolds. Petitioner prays that his claim, entitling him to select 100 acres of land, may be separated from the naval and military claims, and that he be allowed to exercise his land-order. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee is of opinion that this petition should be referred to the Minister of Lands, with a recommendation that the petitioner's claim be separated from the naval and military claims, and dealt with under "The Pensioners' Claims Act, 1861." 30th September, 1896.

No. 456. —Petition of J. W. Mitchell and Others. Petitioners pray for a grant of £2,000 to widen about four miles of track from Bruce's Paddock to Mitchell's, Lake Brunner. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee recommends that this petition be referred to the Government. 30th September, 1896.

11

1.—5

No. 459.—Petition of James J. Elwin and Others. Petitioners are leaseholders in the district covered by " The West Coast Settlements Reserves Act, 1892." They pray for legislation as shall cause the leasing of these lands, as provided by " The Land Act, 1892." I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee has no recommendation to make. 30th September, 1896.

Nos. 496 and 514. —Petitions of Samuel Croker and Others, and Daniel Baumar and Others. Petitioners pray for a road between Warkworth and Waipu by way of Matakana, Wangaripo Valley, Arai, and Mangawai. I have the honour to report that the Waste Lands Committee recommends that these petitions be referred to the Government. 30th September, 1896. ■

No. 471. —Petition of Michael McNamara. Petitioner prays that a piece of land in the Cheviot Estate, which was granted to him on lease in perpetuity, but forfeited for non-compliance with conditions, should be restored and compensation paid to him for the loss. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the section was properly forfeited, but if any rent was paid after the forfeiture it should be refunded. 9th October, 1896.

No. 447.—Petition of the Otago Presbyterian Church Property Board. Petitioners pray for compensation for certain portions of land in the Sawyers Bay District rendered useless by the land on either side being taken for railway purposes. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the Government having notified the petitioners that they are prepared to pay reasonable compensation, no recommendation is necessary. 9th October, 1896.

No. 500.—Petition of W. G. Bunting. Petitioner prays for the speedy issue of certificate of title to Sections 190 to 195 and 199, in Hamilton East, Waikato. I have the honour to report that, in the opinion of the Waste Lands Committee, the certificate of title having been issued on the 4th June, 1896, it has no recommendation to make. 9th October, 1896.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given; printing (1,225 copies), £6 19s.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB96.

Price 6d.]