No. 247.—Petition of Epiha Karoro and Others (No. 4).
Petitioners state that a person named Poole got permission from them to occupy a portion of their land near Mokau, which was pegged off by Poole. He afterwards occupied more of their land without their permission, and erected a jetty. Some of the petitioners destroyed a portion of the jetty, for which they were summoned, and were ordered to pay, with damages and costs, £47 8s. They say the amount for the damage to the jetty was excessive, and that the Magistrate had no power to deal with the case. They pray that inquiry may be made into their case.
I am directed to report as follows: That there is not sufficient evidence before the Committee to enable it to express a positive opinion on the merits of the case; but, as various considerations of importance are involved, it is recommended that the Government make inquiry into the circumstances, and ascertain whether injury has been suffered by the petitioners of a sufficiently exceptional character to justify relief being afforded.
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Translation.]
No. 247.—Pukapuka-inoi a Epiha Karoro me etahi atu (Nama 4).
E ki ana te kai-pitihana i puta tetahi whakaaetanga ki tetahi tangata ko Puuru te ingoa kia nohia e ia tetahi wahi o to ratou whenua e tata ana ki Mokau, na Puuru ano i pou nga roe. I muri iho ka nohoia noatia e ia tetahi atu wahi o to ratou whenua e hara i te mea he mea whakaae atu ki aia, a hanga ana e ia he wapu ki runga i tenei wahi, a wahia ana tetahi wahi o te wapu e nga kai-pitihana, a hamenetia iho ratou mo taua mahi, a ka whakataua kia utua e ratou mo ta ratou mahi me nga utu mo te whakawakanga e £47 8 s. na e ki ana ratou he nui rawa nga utu i tonoa mo te Wahanga i te Wapu, kahore hoki he mana o te Kaiwhakawa ki te whakahaere i taua keehi.
Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei: Kihai i tino pakari ara kihai i tino nui naga korero i korerotia ki te aroaro o te Komiti kia ahei ai te tino whai whakaaro mo runga i taua keehi, Otiia i runga i te whakauruuru o nga tikanga maha me nga tikanga nunui i roto i taua mea e tono ana kia pataia nga tikanga e te Kawanatanga me te kimi mehemea i tau tetahi mate ki runga i nga kai pitihana e tika ai kia whakaputaina tetahi ora mo ratou.