I.—3a.

8. That, owing to the very unsatisfactory title under which the lessees of these reserves are leased, the town is in a very unsettled state, as there is no encouragement to build expensive and substantial buildings and make other improvements. 9. That we wish to acquire the freehold for our sections, and propose that steps should be taken to buy out the Native owners at a fair valuation. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your honourable House will take into its favourable consideration the facts and matters alleged in the foregoing petition, and will afiord to your petitioners such relief in the premises as to your honourable House shall seem meet. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. Felix Campbell [and 476 others].

MINUTES OF PEOCEEDINGS. ********** Thursday, 4th November, 1909. No. 220/09. Felix Campbell and Others. Mr. Lord, Town Clerk of Greymouth, attended and gave evidence. Mr. T. E. Coates attended and gave evidence. Friday, sth November, 1909. Messrs. Martin Kennedy and Felix Campbell attended and gave evidence. Wednesday, 10th November, 1909. Mr. J. W. Poynton (Public Trustee) submitted a written statement on the case, which was read by the Clerk, and also gave evidence. Messrs. T. W. Beare (solicitor, of Hokitika), Piripi Tauwhare, John Tainui (chief of the Arahura Tribe), J. H. W. Uru, and — Mason attended and gave evidence. On the motion of the Chairman it was resolved, That the evidence be printed, and that further consideration of the petition be postponed. Tuesday, 30th November, 1909. The Hon. Mr. Guinness attended, and addressed the Committee in support of the petition and in answer to the Public Trustee. Consideration of the petition was adjourned until to-morrow. Wednesday, Ist December, 1909. Mr. Herries moved, That this petition be referred to the Government, with a recommendation that the Government purchase the reserve if the Native owners are willing to sell, and that the land so purchased be offered on the freehold system to the present occupiers. Amendment proposed, That consideration of this petition be postponed until to-morrow. (Hon. Mr. Carroll.) And, on the question being put on the amendment, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow: — Ayes, 4.—Hon. Mr. Carroll, Hon. Mr. Ngata, Mr. Parata, Dr. Te Rangihiroa. Noes, s.—Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Herries, Mr. Mander, Mr. Rhodes, and the Chairman's castingvote. So it passed in the negative. Another amendment proposed, To strike out all the words after the word " Government," with a view of inserting the words " for favourable consideration." (Hon. Mr. Carroll.) And, on the question being put on the further amendment, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow :— Ayes, 4. —Hon. Mr. Carroll, Hon. Mr. Ngata, Mr. Parata, Dr. Te Ran<rihiroa Noes, s.—Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Herries, Mr. Mander, Mr. Rhodes, and the Chairman's castingvote. So it passed in the negative. And, on the question being put-on the original motion, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follow : — Ayes, s.—Mr. Greenslade, Mr. Herries, Mr. Mander, Mr. Rhodes, and the Chairman's oastingvote. • . Noes, 4._ Hon. Mr. Carroll, Hon. Mr. Ngata, Mr. Parata, Dr Te R.angihiroa. So it was resolved in the affirmative,

II