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1.—3

Eeport on Petition of Hori Kawakura and Others. Petitioners pray that a canteen in the Whakatane District may be done away with, as it has been the cause of trouble. I am directed to report as follows : — That the Committee recommend the prayer of the petition to the favourable consideration of the Government, as it appears to be very desirable to aid any efforts on the part of the Natives for the repression of drunkenness. John Bryce, 23rd October, 1877. Chairman.

[Teanslation.] Ko te kupu a te Komiti mo eunga i te Pukapuka-inoi a Hori Kawakura ma. E tono ana nga kai-inoi kia whakakorea atu tetahi Whare Hokonga Waipiro i Whakatane ho take raruraru hoki tera ki a ratou. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare : — E mea ana te Komiti ma te Kawanatanga c ata whiriwhiri pai te pukapuka-inoi he mea pai rawa hoki kia awhinatia nga mahi a nga Maori kite pehi i te inu waipiro. John Bryce, Oketopa 23, 1877. Tumuaki.

Eepoet on Petition of Wieemu te Whaeeieo and Othees. This petition is from Natives of the Ngatipukenga tribe living in the Tauranga District. The petitioners pray that they may be allowed an opportunity of giving evidence in support of their claims to a block of land called Otawa, situated at or near Tauranga. I am directed to report as follows :— That it appears from evidence taken by the Committee that Messrs. Clarke and James Mackay were appointed in 1864, as Commissioners, to determine the quantities of confiscated land near Tauranga to be awarded to Natives who claimed under a promise made by Sir G. Grey that a certain proportion of the land in question should be restored. It appears from the evidence of Mr. Clarke that the claims set forth in the petition are of little or no value, but that a rehearing has been determined on by the Government on the application of other Natives. The Committee do not feel justified in reporting specifically on the matter, beyond expressing an opinion that the petitioners should be heard in support of their claims. John Beyce, 24th October, 1877. Chairman.

[Translation.] Ko te kupu a te Komiti mo eunga i te Pukapuka-inoi a Wiremu te Whareieo ma. Ko tenei pukapuka-inoi na nga tangata o te iwi o Ngatipukenga kei Tauranga to ratou Kainga. E tono ana ratou kia tukua ratou kia korero kite whakakaha i a ratou tono ki tetahi whenua ko Otawa te ingoa kei Tauranga, c tata ana ranei ki reira. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu kite Whare : — E kitea ana i runga i nga korero i whakapuakina i te aroaro o te Komiti, i whakaturia a Te Karaka raua ko Te Make i te tau 1864 hei Komihana kite whakarite i te nui o te whenua kia hoatu ki nga Maori i tono i runga i tetahi kupu whakaari a Ta Hori Kerei kia whakahokia ki a ratou tetahi wahi o te whenua. E kitea ana i runga i nga korero aTe Karaka ehara nga tono i roto ite Pukapuka-inoi i te mea whai tikanga rawa; engari kua whakaaetia c te Kawanatanga te whakawa tuarua i runga i te tono a etahi atu Maori. Kahore te Komiti i whakaaro he mea tika kia whai kupu tuturu ratou mo tenei mea heoti ano te kupu me whakarongo nga korero a nga Kai-inoi mo runga i ta ratou tono. John Bryce, Oketopa 24, 1877. Tumuaki. a——

Eepoet on Petition of the Ngatitoa Teibe. This is a petition presented last session, and referred back, in consequence of the Native Affairs Committee of last year not having reported an opinion to the House. The petitioners, who are members of the Ngatitoa tribe, allege that, at or after the purchase of lands in the neighbourhood of Wellington, Sir George Grey promised that certain reserves should be made for the Natives, and that these promises have not been carried out. I am directed to report as follows s — That the Committee, having taken the evidence of Mr. Clarke, of the Native Office, on this petition, are of opinion that it should be made the subject of inquiry by the Government, and that such redress be afforded as the petitioners may be found entitled to ; and, further, that should the petitioners be found entitled to receive land, that it ought to be awarded at such place or places as may be deemed most suitable, and not necessarily in the situations originally promised or selected. John Beyce, 26th October, 1877. Chairman.