I.—3a.

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. (REPORT ON THE PETITION OF HEREWINI TE TOKO AND 2 OTHERS.)

Brought up 29th September, 1892, and ordered to be printed.

Petitioners complain that Mr. John Lundon has wrongfully detained part of the purchase-money for the Kaitaia Block, and pray for redress. The Committee, having taken full evidence in this case (copy of which is attached), have the honour to report : That, in their opinion the evidence shows that the petitioners personally received from the Government ofQcer, Mr. Millar, the full amount of the purchase-money agreed by the Government to be paid for the land, therefore the Government are in no way responsible for what is alleged in the petition. But the Committee are further of opinion that, if the petitioners considered Mr. Lundon had not acted in accordance with any agreement entered into or made with him, they should have appealed to the law Courts before applying to Parliament; and as there are sufficient grounds to warrant that belief which, if their allegations be true, render them considerable sufferers thereby, the Government be recommended to take petitioners' case into special consideration, with the view of affording such assistance as will enable them to bring the matter before a Court of law. The Committee would also suggest that the Government be asked to carefully note the apparently peculiar conduct of the officials in the performance of their duties in connection with the above transaction. B. M. Houston, 29th September, 1892. Chairman.

[Tbanslation.] E Xi ana nga kai-pitihana kua puritia hetia c Hone Banana tetahi wahi o nga moni hoko o te Kaitaia Poraka a c inoi ana ki tetahi ora. I runga i te mea kua rongo te Komiti ki nga korero katoa mo runga i tenei keehi a c piri nei te tauira c whai honore ana taua Komiti ki to ripoata : Xi ta ratou whakaaro c whakaatu mai ana nga korero i riro mai i ia kai-pitihana i te apiha a te Kawanatanga i a Te Mira nga moni hoko katoa i whakaaetia c te Kawanatanga kia utua mo taua whenua no reira kahore he take c whakaea ai te Kawanatanga i nga moni c tonoa ana i roto ite pitihana. E whakaaro ana ano hoki te Komiti mehemea c whakaaro ana nga kai-pitihana kihai i mana i a Hone Banana nga whakaaetanga i whakaaelia ki waenganui i a ratou me ia, ko te mea tika ma nga kai-pitihana he kawe i ta ratou keehi kite Kooti i mua o te pitihanatanga kite Paremete, a ahakoa c whakaarohia ana he mea tika kia hamenetea a Hone Banana, ara mehemea c tika ana aua korero he nui te mate kua tan ki runga i nga kai-pitihana a me tono i te Kawanatanga kia ata whiriwhiria te take a nga kai-pitihana kia ahei ai te Kawanatanga te tautoko i nga kai-pitihana kite kawe i ta ratou keehi kite Kooti. E mea anano hoki te Komiti ko te mea tika me tono i te Kawanatanga kia ata tirohia c ratou nga mahi a nga apiha i runga i a ratou whakahaere mo runga i tenei keehi. 29 o Hepetema, 1892.