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No. 256, 1933. —Petition of H. C. Tipper and 213 Others ; and No. 60: (Supplemental) Petition of J. S. Murray and 258 Others, all of the County of Whakatane. Praying—(l) That the interest and sinking fund charged on the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Scheme be reduced to £7,000 per annum for the unexpired balance of the original term of fifty years ; (2) that the Government refund to the Rangitaiki Drainage Account all rates levied on Native properties which are not paid within two years of demand ; (3) that the Government restore the subsidy of 10s. to the pound on the maintenance costs of the drainage scheme for the balance of the original term of fifty years. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee, having heard evidence and having carefully considered the evidence and the petitions, came to the following decisions in respect of the separate clauses in the prayer of the petition : — (а) In respect of clause (1) of the prayer of the petition the Committee recommends that the interest and sinking fund be reduced to a minimum ; (б) In respect of clause (2) of the prayer of the petition the Committee has no recommendation to make ; (c) In respect of clause (3) of the prayer of the petition the Committee recommends the restoration of the subsidy of 10s. to the pound up till the year 1936-37. The Committee is of opinion that the area comprised in the drainage scheme should be formed into a Drainage District, to be locally controlled. The Committee recommends that this report be referred to the Government for consideration. 24th August, 1934.

No. 256, 1933: Petition of H. C. Tipper and 213 Others ; and No. 60 : (Supplemental) Petition of J. S. Murray and 258 Others, all of the County of Whakatane. Praying—(l) That the interest and sinking fund charged on the Rangitaiki Land Drainage Scheme be reduced to £7,000 per annum for the unexpired balance of the original term of fifty years ; (2) that the Government refund to the Rangitaiki Drainage Account all rates levied on Native properties which are not paid within two years of demand ; (3) that, the Government restore the subsidy of 10s. to the pound on the maintenance costs of the drainage scheme for the balance of the original term of fifty years. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee having, in pursuance of the Order of the House dated the 24th day of August, 1934, further considered these petitions and the evidence thereon, came to the following decisions in respect of the separate clauses of the prayer of the main petition :■ — (a) In respect of clause (1) of the prayer of the petition the Committee recommends that the interest and sinking fund be reduced to a minimum; (b) In respect of clause (2) of the prayer of the petition the Committee has no recommendation to make; (c) In respect of clause (3) of the prayer of the petition the Committee recommends the restoration of the subsidy of 10s. to the pound up till the year 1936-37. The Committee is of opinion that the area comprised in the drainage scheme should be formed into a Drainage District, to be locally controlled. The Committee recommends that this report be referred to the Government for consideration. 31st August, 1934.

No. 261, 1933. —Petition of A. 6. Riches and 48 Others, of Taumarunui. Praying—(l) That the prices to be paid by them for the lands held by them under the deferred-payment system be reduced to conform to the true valuation thereof in the year 1917 ; (2) that the payments already made by the petitioners be credited against such reduced prices as from the date of purchase ; (3) that the petitioners be granted such further relief as may be just and equitable. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee, having carefully considered this petition and the evidence adduced thereon, came to the following decisions : — (a) In respect of clause (1) of the prayer of the petition the Committee has no recommendation to make; (b) The Committee recommends that clause (2) of the prayer of the petition be recommended to the Government for consideration ; (c) The Committee recommends that clause (3) of the prayer of the petition be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. In respect of this clause the Committee is of opinion that the term for payment of the purchase-moneys should be extended and that the interest charges should be reduced to a minimum. The Committee recommends that this report be referred to the Government for consideration. 31st August, 1934.

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