G.—l4

2

3. On the main point of the petitioners' contention that certain names on the lists handed in to the Court were omitted in the final order there was no satisfactory evidence forthcoming. The names are struck out of the list. The striking-out is not initialled, but the presiding Judge has placed his initials at the bottom of the list and has added "19 names." The nineteen names left appear in the Court minute-book in the Clerk's handwriting, and it is assumed that this would be entered up from day to day. It will be obvious that the striking-out of the names must therefore have been intentional. 4. The reason for striking them out, in the Court's opinion, was to make the list as small as possible and carry out the Court's idea that " it is therefore right that in this little claim the descendants of the leading chiefs only." This explains, for instance, why one brother's name is put in and the other left out. I t 5. It is manifest that in dealing with the land in this way many persons with right would be excluded. 6. Some persons with right have undoubtedly been loft out of the list of owners, but the Court having only to inquire and report, and not having power to amend the title, has not considered it necessary on the present occasion to go into the merits of each individual name. For the Court. To the Chief Judge, Native Land Court. R. N. Jones, Judge. Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,400 copies), £1 10?.

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ll.

Price 3d.]