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1.—3

No. 165. —Petition of Haka Pewbne. Petitioneb alleges that certain interests in the Huritini Block were conveyed to her by her relative, Moko Hikitanga, whose claims in the block were investigated by the Native Land Court at the expense of the petitioner, and after the investigation the Judge found that the deed of gift was not sanctioned by law. She asserts that if the Judge had at once told her that the deed was illegal, she would not have been put to the expense of this investigation. The Committee are of opinion that the Government might fairly consider whether the fees of the Court regarding Moko's claim should not be returned to her. 27th September, 1893. [Tbanslation.] No. 165. —Pukapuka inoi a Hana Pewene. E ki ana te kai-pitihana i tukia mai ki aia etona huanga c Moko Hikitanga tona paanga ki te Hurutini Poraka a i whakawakia ano hold nga take a Moko .Hikitanga c te Kooti Whenua Maori a nana na Hana Pewene i utu i nga moni mo te whakawakanga a kitea ana c te Kooti kihai i tika i runga i te Ture te Tiiti tuku i runga i te tuku noa a c ki ana a Hana Pewene mehemea i kiia mai c te Tiati i te tuatahi c ho ana taua Tiiti i runga i te ture kua kore c pau ana moni i te whakawakanga. Na c whakaaro ana te Komiti he mea tika kia ata whiriwhiria c te Kawanatanga mehemea kahore c tika kia whakahokia ki a Hana Pewene ana moni i utua kite Kooti i runga i te whakawakanga o taua whenua. 27 o Hepetema, 1893.

No. 459.—Petition of Wieemu Kauika. Petitioneb alleges that the sum of £5,411, being balance of purchase-money of the Kaitangiwhenua Block, was stolen by a Government land-purchase officer, named William Williams. Pie prays that steps be taken to recover the money, and that in future such men be not employed by the Government. I have the honour to report that, as the Committee are advised a Eoyal Commission is to be appointed to investigate the allegations of the petitioner, they have not thought it necessary to inquire into the matter; they, however, recommend that the petition be referred to the Government. 28th September, 1893. [Tbanslation.] No. 459. —Pukapuka inoi a Wieemu Kauika. B ki ana te kai-pitihana i tahaetia nga moni toenga, hoko o te Kaitangiwhenua Poraka c tetahi Apiha a te Kawanatanga ko tona ingoa ko Wiremu Wiremu a c inoi ana te kai-pitihana ki a whakahaerea tetahi tikanga c riro mai ai aua moni a kia kaua taua tangata c whakahaua c te Kawanatanga a muri ake nei kite mahi i a ratou mahi. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: I runga i to mea kua rongo te Komiti tera c whakaturia tetahi Eoira Komihana hei whakawa i nga take c whakapuakina mai ana c te kai-pitihana kihai ratou i whakaaro he mea tika kia uiuia nga tikanga o taua keehi c ratou a kua tono kia tukua tenei pitihana kite Kawanatanga kia uiuia nga tikanga. 28 o Hepetema, 1893.

No. 402.—Petition of Timoti Puhipi and 20 Others. Petitionebs lay claim to a certain portion of land abutting on the Tangonge Lake, near Kaitaia, and pray that the same may be handed over to them. I have the honour to report that the Committee recommend that this petition be referred to Government for the purpose of causing an inquiry to be made by the Eesident Magistrate of the district. 29th September, 1893. [Translation.] No. 402. —Pukupuka-inoi a Timoti Puhipi me etahi atu c 20. E Xi ana nga kai-pitihana c whai take ana ratou ki tetahi wahi whenua c piri ana kite roto c karangatia ana ko Tangonge a c pa tata ana ki Kaitaia, a c inoi ana ratou kia whakahokia taua whenua ki a ratou. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: B whakaaro ana tenei Komiti me tuku tenei pitihana kite Kawanatanga kia ahei ai te uiui c te Kaiwhakawa Tuturu o te takiwa i takoto ai taua whenua. 29 o Hepetema, 1893.

No. 444. —Petition of Pibipi tb Maabi and 24 Others. Petitionebs pray for compensation for losses they have sustained in connection with the Wairarapa Lakes. I have the honour to report as follows : — That the whole question dealt with in this petition was reported on by a Eoyal Commission in 1890 (vide Vol. 11., Appendices, Session 11., 1891, G.-4). It is clear that the Natives have been wronged, and the only question is whether the local bodies interested or the Government should compensate them. The Committee is of opinion that it should be done by the Government, as the land was sold to the settlers, and provision made in the Public Works Act which enabled the local body to open a channel from the lake to the sea, and thus the proprietary rights of the Natives were interfered with.