PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE. (REPORT ON THE PETITION OF MRS. JANE S. GRAHAM, OF WAIRAKEI.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1892 Session I, I-01a

I.—lα

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS A TO L COMMITTEE. (REPORT ON THE PETITION OF MRS. JANE S. GRAHAM, OF WAIRAKEI.)

Brought up Bth September, and ordered to he printed.

Petitionek states that a Bill validating her title to a certain section of land has to be introduced as a private Bill instead of as a local Bill, and that she is unable to bear the expense of the same. She prays that the fees may be remitted. I am directed to report, That, in consideration of all the circumstances surroundiug the application, the Committee recommend the fees payable on this private Bill be remitted. 0. H. Mills, Bth September, 1892. Chairman.

P E TIT lON. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Kepresentatives, in Parliament assembled. The humble Petition op Jane Stbphenson Geaham, op Waikakei, in the Pkovincial DiSTiucT op Auckland, Widow, showeth :-^- -1. On the 20th day of July, 1881, the Native Land Court ordered a title for certain land in the Tarawera Survey District, called or known by the name of Qtanga No. 9, containing 34 perches, to issue in favour of Uiramona Pini, of Ohinemutu, who, on the Bth August, 1881, executed his will devising the said land to your petitioner. 2. The said land is situated within a district proclaimed under " The Thermal Springs District Act, 1881." 3. The said Uiramona Pini died on the 9th November, 1885, without altering his will in respect of the said land; and on the 22nd December, 1885, probate of the will was granted to your petitioner, who thereupon entered into possession of the said land, and has so continued until the present time. 4. After the date of the execution of the said will, but before the death of the testator, the Native Land Court, on the 10th July, 1883, made an order for the commutation of the Native title to the aforesaid land, upon which a Land Transfer certificate of title for such land was issued on the 2Cth November, 1883, in favour of the said Uiramona Pini, and antevesting such land as from the 10th day of July, 1883, and not from the 20th July, 1881. 5. Your petitioner is advised that doubts exist whether, under the circumstances, the aforesaid devise by Uiramona Pini is valid, and it is expedient to remove such doubts by an Act of the General Assembly of New Zealand. 6. Your petitioner, during the present session of Parliament, prepared a Bill to validate the said devise, and desired to treat it under the Standing Orders of your Honourable House as a local Bill, but the Honourable the Speaker decided that it was a private Bill. 7. Under the circumstances aforesaid, and in consequence of your petitioner's poverty, your petitioner submits that the fees payable on the said Bill being deposited, and dealt with as a private Bill, ought to be remitted. And. your petitioner therefore humbly prays that your Honourable House will be pleased to remit the said fees. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will over pray, &c. Jane Stephenson Geaham.

Authority: George Didsisury, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 392.