D—No. 6

LAND CLAIMS OF NEW ZEALAND FENCIBES.

I think it would be fair, on the whole, to adopt the view of the Auckland Provincial Council on this case in 1858, and to grant to such men as have not yet received their pre-emption land, a right of purchasing a quantity of land, not exceeding 100 acres each, at the price of ten shillings per acre, payable in three equal annual instalments. I propose, therefore, that a Bill should be introduced, empowering the Superintendent of Auckland, on an Address from the Provincial Council, to give effect to such an arrangement, and to make proper Regulations; Ist, for limiting a time to send in claims; and 2nd, for enquiring into the merits of each case, so as to determine whether in any instance there were circumstances which ought in fairness to exclude the claimant from the arrangement. The time required for obtaining the Royal Assent to such a Bill, would enable these enquiries to be made without prejudicing the Petitioners by unnecessary delay. F. Dillon Bell, Land Claims Commissioner. Auckland, 29th June, 1861.

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