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No. 279, Sess. 11., 1887.—Petition of Waata Taiaeoa. Petitionee states that a piece of land belonging to him called Ahipukaku was moulded in the sale of the Taramarama Block without his name appearing on the deed of conveyance. He prays for inquiry. lam directed to report as follows: That this petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry. 28th August, 1888.

[Tbanslation.] No. 279, Sess. 11., 1887.—Pukapuka-inoi a Waata Taiaeoa. E ki ana te kai-pitihana i whakaurua tetahi piihi whenua ana e karangatia ana ko Ahipukaku ki roto ki te hoko o te Waimarino Poraka i te mea kihai i uru tona ingoa ki te pukapuka tuku, a e inoi aua ia kia rapua nga tikanga. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: Me tuku tenei pitihana ki te Kawanatanga kia whiriwhiria e ratou. 28 o Akuhata, 1888.

No. 489. —Petition of Pua Kotiei and 12 Others. Petitionees pray that a block of land called Hangatahua, which has been confiscated by Government, may be returned to the Hinemarumaru hapu. lam directed to report as follows: That the petition should be referred to the Government for inquiry.

28th August, 1888. [Tbanslation.] No. 489.—Pukapuka-inoi a Pua Kotiei me etahi atu 12. E inoi ana te kai-pitihana kia whakahokia ki a Hinemarumaru tetahi poraka whenua e karangatia ana ko Hangatahua, kua oti nei te raupatu e te Kawanatanga. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: Me tuku tenei pitihana ki te Kawanatanga kia rapua e ratou nga tikanga. 28 o Akuhata, 1888.

No. 395.—Petition of Te Waeihi Makitaunu and Another. Petitionees pray that the sum of £8,000 may be paid to them on behalf of their hapu, on account of their claims to a certain block of land, as promised by Sir Donald McLean and Mr. Sheehan, as Native Ministers. lam directed to report as follows: That, the evidence of the petitioners having been taken, Mr. Lewis, Under-Secretary for the Native Department, stated that the records of the office showed that no promise was made by Sir D. McLean, and the evidence of Captain Mair, who accompanied Sir D. McLean as interpreter, states that no promise was made, and that the promise alleged to have been made could not have been made without his knowledge, he having attended all Sir Donald McLean's meetings. He further produced a corrected report of Sir Donald McLean's speech on the occasion, from the Bay of Plenty Times. There is no mention of any promise in that speech. The Committee are therefore of opinion that the petitioners have no claim whatever upon the Government. 28th August, 1888.

[Tbanslation.] No. 395.—Pukapuka-inoi a Te Waeihi Makitaunu me tetahi atu. E inoi ana nga kai-pitihana kia utua ki a ratou nga moni e £8,000 pauna mo te taha ki to ratou hapu mp runga i a ratou take ki tetahi poraka whenua pera ano me te whakaaetanga a te TaTanara Makarini raua ko te Hiana i raua e tu ana hei Minita Maori. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: I runga i te rongonga ki nga korero a nga kai-pitihana. Ka mea a te Euihi to Hekeretari o te Tari Maori e wdiakaatu ana nga pukapuka o te Tari kahore he whakaaetanga ate Makarini. A e mea ana no hoki a Kapene Mea i haere tahi atu nei me te Makarini hei kaiwhakamaori kahore a te Makarini i whakaae, a kote whakaaetanga e kiia nei i whakaaetia kua mohio a Kapene Meamehemeai whakaaetia, no te mea i reira tonu ia i nga huinga katoa ki te aroaro o te Makarini, I korerotia ano hoki e Kapene Mea nga korero a Ta Tanara Makarini e mau ana i roto ite nuipepa ote Pei o Pereti Taima. A kahore kau he kupu whakaae a te Makarini i roto i taua whaikorero ana. No reira e mahara ana te Komiti kahore kau he take a nga kai-pitihana e tono ai ki te Kawanatanga. 28 o Akuhata, 1888.

Nos. 233 and 457. —Petitions of Matenga Taiwhanga and Others (Nos. 1 and 2). Petitionees pray that the lessees of lands in the Eotorua Township may be made to pay their rents owing; also, that the sum of £145 owing by the Government to the Eotorua Natives may be paid to Warihi Makitaunu. I am directed to report as follows : That the evidence before the Committee suggests that the owners of the Eotorua lands under the Thermal Springs Act are not agreed as to how the moneys accruing from the leases shall be paid to them. The Committee is also of opinion that, if money is paid to petitioners as desired by them, their receipt for the same will not relieve the Government from the responsibility of having to pay in accordance with previous agreements under the Thermal Springs Act; and the Committee recommend that the Government should take immediate steps to settle the difficulties which have arisen. The information asked for in Petition No. 457 has been supplied. 28th August, 1888.