Report on Petition of Hone Paratene and Others (No. 1).

The petitioners object to "The Native Land Court Bill, 1877," and think that, at any rate, it should not be allowed to apply to the South Island, because dealings there with Native land have, as a rule, been satisfactory.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, the subject-matter of this petition having been considered by the House, and the Bill in question withdrawn, the Committee do not think it necessary to report specifically on the merits of the various matters referred to by the petitioners. But the Committee are of opinion that, in view of future legislation on the subject of Native lands, the opinions expressed in this and other petitions of a similar character deserve the careful consideration of the House and the Government.