EEPORT ON PETITION OF C. DAVIS & F. & L. IATfcS.

FRIDAY, THE 21ST DAT OF SEPTEMBER, 1860. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present:—Mr. J. C. Kichmond, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Gillies, Mr. Domett, and Mr. Fox. Mr. Fox in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Mr. McLean the Native Secretary was called in, and examined. 1. By the Chairman.] Will you state to the Committee under what circumstances the Messrs. Yates and other settlers were removed by Government from Kawhia?—They were removed in consequence of the excited state of the Natives at their own request, owing to the insecurity of their position ; as will be seen by the following correspondence ; which was read. April 24th—Mr. Brewer to Mr. McLean. " " Mr. Brewer and others to Mr. McLean. " 25th—Mr. McLean to the above. " 2Sth—Notice to Settlers by Mr. McLean. May 2nd—Messrs. Davis & Co. and others to same. Same date—Mr. McLean's answer thereto. Same date—Messrs. Yates and others to Mr, McLean. Same date—Mr. McLean's answer thereto. 2. In what capacity and under whose authority did you proceed to Kawhia?—l was specially instructed by the Government to proceed to Raglan, to enquire into and report upon, the state of the Natives there; as many of the settlers were leaving the place ; several of the women and children had left in consequence of alarming reports of the state of the Natives in Waikato and elsewhere. 3. What reason had you for stating, or believirg, that the Natives at Kawhia were in a state of rebellion?—l am not aware whether I used the term rebellion in writing to the settlers. The Natives were in a state of excitement; and at the time, preparing to join William King atTaranaki. 4. Mr. J. C. Richmond.] It has been stated commonly that there was an attempt to establish a Custom House at Kawhia, and levy duties for the support of the Maori King. Is this true?— The Kawhia Natives hoisted a Kings flag at that Port and compelled the Europeans to pay yearly tribute to the King ; contributions to the extent of £70 were levied on the Kawhia settlers. 6. The Chairman.] Do the settlers at Kawhia hold their land under Crown Grants, or are they merely squatters or purchasers in defiance of the " Native Land Purchase Ordinance"?— Many of them occupied land purchased some 25 years ago. 5. Mr. J. C. Richmond.'] Have any of the Kawhia settlers applied for Crown Grants under the "Land Claims Settlement Act"? —I believe they did. Mr. Charlton who was obliged to purchase peace by paying tribute, has applied for a settlement of his claim to the land he occupied there. The Witness then withdrew. The Committee then adjourned. William. Fox, Chairman.

TUESDAY, IHE 2.ND DAY OF OCTOBER, 1860. Present —Mr. Gillies, Mr. J. C. Richmond, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Fox. The Committee met pursuant to notice. The Chairman read a Draft Report. Resolved—That the Report as read be adopted, and ordered to be presented to the House. The Committee then adjourned sine die. William Fox, Chairman.

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