1.—12.

1890. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT COMMITTEE UPON THE WEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES (REPORT AND EVIDENCE OF THE).

Brought up 4th September, 1800, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OP REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Legislative Council. Friday, the 4th Day of July, 1890. Ordered, "That a Select Committee bo appointed to inquire into the rights, legal as well as equitable, of the lessees of, and Natives interested in, the reserves made by the Governor in Council under 'The West Coast Settlement (North Island) Act, 1880,' and the amendments thereof, for the purpose of reporting upon the same ; and also to report what steps should be taken to decide and enforce such rights : with power to sit and confer together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the House of Representatives, and to agree to a joint or separate report: the Committee to have power to call for persons, appers, and records. Three to be a quorum. The Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Acland, tho Hon. Mr. Johnson, the Hon. Mr. McLean, the Hon. Mr. Peter, the Hon. Major Wahawaha, the Hon. Captain Kenny, and the mover."—(Hon. Mr. Stevens.) Tuesday, the Bth Day op July, 1890. Ordered, " That Petition No. 3, of Tewhareaitu and 377 others, he referred to the West Coast Settlement Reserves -Committee."— (Hon. Dr. Pollen.)

Extract from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Tuesday, the Bth Day of July, 1890. Ordered, " That a Committee, consisting of seven members, be appointed to inquire into the rights, legal as well as equitable, of the lessees of, and Natives interested in, the reserves made by the Governor in Council under ' The West Coast Settlement (North Island) Act, 1880,' and the amendments thereof, and to report upon the same, and what steps should be taken to decide and enforce such rights; with power to confer and sit together with any similar Committee which may be appointed by the Legislative Council, and to agree to a joint or separate report': the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records. Three to form a quorum. The Committee to consist of Mr. Parata, Mr. W. D. Stewart, Mr. Seddon, Hon. Sir J. Hall, Mr. Peacock, Dr. Fitchett, and tho mover." -(Hon. Mr. Hisloj-.)

» ______^____--_-1_177_1--__1777777r77777-7___-_Z___-____Z R EPOET. "The .Joint West Coast Settlement Reserves Committee, appointed to inquire into the rights, legal as well as equitable, of the lessees of and Natives interested in the reserves made by the Governor in Council under " The West Coast Settlement (North Island) Act, 1880," and the amendments thereof, and to report upon the same, and what steps should be taken to decide and enforce such rights, has the honour to report as follows: — The lands referred to in the petition of the Natives are affected by leases known respectively ..as " The Public Trustee's leases " and the " confirmed leases." The petition, of Messrs. Lysaght and others relates only to the " confirmed leases." The Public Trustee's Leases. These are of a large quantity of land set apart under "The West Coast Settlement (North Island) Act, 1880," for the benefit of the Natives, placed under the administration of the Public Trustee by "The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881." The Act of 1881 authorised the making of regulations for the proper administration of these lands, and laid down conditions with respect to the mode of leasing. The Act did not specifically authorise the introduction of a compensation clause. Regulations were made under the Act of 1881 in February, 1883, and under these the lands were let by public tender for twenty-one years, with clauses similar in character to a Glasgow lease. " The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act 1881 Amendment Act, 1884," authorised the granting of leases for thirty years, the Glasgow lease provisions being preserved, and also authorised the extension of the twenty-one years leases to thirty years without alteration of either rent or covenants. Under regulations made in 1887