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1.—3

I have the honour to report tljat the Committee fully considered and reported on a similar petition on July 14th last, and that they cannot alter their decision—namely, that no recommendation can be made. 23rd August, 1893. [Teanslation.] No. 286.—Pukapuka inoi a Bemana Nutana. E ki ana te kai-pitihana i tangohia hetia c te Kawanatanga tetahi Poraka whenua ko Waitetuna te ingoa kei te Takiwa o Eakarana a c inoi ana ia kia uiuia nga tikanga. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: I tino whiriwhiria tetahi pitihana penei ano te ahua ite 14 o nga ra o Hurae a ekore c ahei c tenei Komiti te whakarereke i ta ratou whakataunga o te tuatahi, ara kahore a ratou kupu mo runga i tenei pitihana. 23 o Akuhata, 1893.

No. 287.—Petition of Paeanihi Tukoko and 13 Others. Petitioners pray for compensation for loss of Tikorangi Block, which was taken for military purposes. I have the honour to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 23rd August, 1893. [Translation.] No. 287. —Pukapuka inoi a Paeanihi Tukoko me etahi atu tekau ma toru. E inoi ana nga kai-pitihana kia whakaritea tetahi tikanga ki ratou mo to ratou mate i runga i te Tikorangi Poraka i tangohia hei kainga mo nga hoia. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: Kahore he kupu ate Komiti mo runga i tenei pitihana. 23 o Akuhata, 1893.

No. 351.—Petition of Hecate Upokoiei. Petitionee prays that alienation of any portion of the Horowhenua Block may be stopped until satisfactory arrangements are made in regard to the alleged trust in connection therewith. I have the honour to report that the Committee is of opinion that the Government, before purchasing any portion of the Horowhenua Block, should cause inquiries to be made as to the alleged trust in connection with the same, and, if satisfied that a trust was implied, legislation should be introduced this session to protect the interests of the tribe. 23rd August, 1893. [Translation.] No. 351.—Pukapuka inoi a Hecate Upokoiei. E inoi ana te kai-pitihana kia kaua rawa tetahi wahi ote Horowhenua Poraka c tukua kia hokona kia taea rano te ata whakatakoto nga tikanga mo te Tiaki i runga i taua whenua. Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: E whakaaro ana tenei Komiti me whakahau etc Kawanatanga kia uiuia nga tikanga o te Tiaki c kiia nei i runga i taua Poraka i mua o te hokonga o tetahi wahi o taua whenua c te Kawanatanga a kite marama i tika ano taua Tiaki me hanga he ture i tenei nohoanga o te Paremete hei tiaki i nga take o te Iwi. 23 o Akuhata, 1893.

No. 118.—Petition of Te Hiea Pateoeo and Others. Petitionees pray for legislation to enable them to obtain a rehearing in the matter of succession to Apihai te Kawau. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully read the papers referring to the Orakei Block, and find as follows :— (1.) That the petitioners allege that they are the true successors of Apihai te Kawau. (2.) It appears that Apihai te Kawau died in 1869, and left a will appointing Paora Tuhaere his successor. Paora also claimed the land as being entitled to it. (3.) A Crown grant was issued in 1873 in favour of Apihai te Kawau and twelve others, of whom Paora Tuhaere was one. The land was antevested as from 10th February, 1869. (4.) In 1882 a private Act was passed, in which it was declared that Paora Tuhaere was the trustee of the land. (5.) On the 2nd March, 1883, Paora Tuhaere was declared in the Native Land Court to be the successor of Apihai te Kawau. At this Court the son of Apihai (Te Hira te Kawau) was present, and consented to such succession. The petitioners are the children of a daughter of Apihai (6.) Paora Tuhaere died on the 12th March, 1892. (7.) The petitioners did not in Paora's lifetime object to the succession order made in Paora's favour by any petition or by any proceedings in the Court. They, however, shortly before his death, and when he was in ill-health, did communicate with the Native Department. The Committee have not, however, had that letter before them. The succession order was at that time nine years old. (8.) In 1892 " The Orakei Succession Further Investigation Act, 1892," was passed, allowing one Bere Arama to apply for a rehearing as to certain succession orders, but not the order found fault with by the petitioners. (9.) An application was made to the Chief Judge for a rehearing on 23rd September last by Here Arama, and the same was filed awaiting inquiry, but no further action has been taken on the application.