1.—3

6

No. 261.—Wi Pere and 5 Others. Petitioners complain that, owing to the state of the law,' they are unable to deal with their lands in such manner as will enable them to extricate themselves from severe monetary difficulties. They pray for relief. I am directed to report that the Committee strongly urges the Government to introduce legislation this session to give the petitioners the relief they pray for. 2nd December, 1897.

[Translation.] No. 261.—Pitihana a Wi Pere me etahi atu toko rima. E ki ana nga kai-pitihana na te ahua o te ture i kore ai ratou c ahei kite whakahaere i o ratou whenua i runga i nga raruraru moni c pehi kino nei i a ratou. E inoi ana ratou kia whakaorangia ratou. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei, c tino kaha ana te aki atu a te Komiti i tana kupu kite Kawanatanga kia mahia he ture i tenei tuunga o te Paremete hei hoatu ki nga kai-pitihana i te ora c inoitia nei c ratou. 2 o Tihema, 1897.

No. 36. —Petition of Daniel James McEwen. Petitioner complains that, owing to the retrospective nature of "The Native Equitable Owners Act, 1886," he is unable to complete the purchase of the Paparoa Block, Kaipara District, and prays for redress. I am directed to report that this Committee sympathises with the petitioner in the hardships he has suffered, but, inasmuch as he failed to acquaint himself with the provisions of the law before he acquired his supposed right to purchase, there is no recommendation to make. 3rd December, 1897.

[Translation.] No. 36. —Pitihana a Daniel James McEwen. E ki ana nga kai-pitihana i runga i te hokinga whakamuri o nga tikanga o " Te Ture Maori Whakapumau Take Tika, 1886," c kore c taea c ia te whakaoti o tana hoko mo te Paparoa Poraka, Takiwa o Kaipara, a c inoi ana ia kia whakaorangia tona mate. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei, kei te aroha te Komiti kite kai-pitihana i runga i ona mate, otira i te mea kihai ia i ata whakamohio i a ia ki nga aronga o te ture i mua atu i tana whakahaerenga i tana hoko mo taua whenua, heoi kaore kau a te Komiti kupu. 3 o Tihema, 1897.

No. 140. —Petition of Makaki Wahanui and 62 Others. Petitioners pray for further hearing in regard to ownership of Botoma and Te Tautara Blocks. I am directed to report that, from the evidence of the petitioner, there seems ground for further inquiry. The Committee therefore recommends that the petition be referred to the Government for that purpose. 7th December, 1897.

[Translation..] No. 140. —Pitihana a Makaki Wahanui me etahi atu c ono tekau ma rua. E iNOi ana nga kai-pitihana kia whakawakia tuaruatia ano nga Poraka o Botoma me Te Tautara. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei, i runga i nga korero a te kai-pitihana c ahua tika ana kia uiuia ano tenei putake, na reira ka whai-kupu te Komiti me tuku atu tenei pitihana kite Kawanatanga kia peratia. 7 o Tihema, 1897.

No. 117.—Petition of James Smith, Farmer, of Greenfields, Lawrence, Otago. Petitioner prays that legislation may be passed to enable him to complete his title to certain Native lands (part of Puketarata Block). I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 7th December, 1897.

[Translation.] No. 117. —Pitihana a James Smith, Kai-whakahaere Paamu, o Greenfields, Lawrence, Otakou. E iNOi ana te kai-pitihana kia paahitia lie ture kia ahei ai ia kite whakaoti i tana hoko mo tetahi whenua Maori (wahi o Pukotarata Poraka). Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei, kaore kau he kupu a te Komiti mo tenei pitihana. 7 o Tihema, 1897.