Report on Petition of Ruiha Teira and Others. (Presented in 1876.)
This is a petition presented last session, and referred back in consequence of the Native affairs Committee of last year not having reported an opinion to the House.
Petitioners state that some of their land near Taranaki has been confiscated, but that they took no part in the rebellion, and that the justice of their case has been acknowledged by the Government, but redress has not been afforded. They pray the House to give them relief.
I am directed to report as follows:—
That it appears perfectly clear that the petitioners have a substantial grievance of the nature set forth in their petition. The evidence taken and the correspondence produced show conclusively that their claim has been admitted for many years, although it has never been finally dealt with. The Committee are of opinion that the petitioners' claim should be finally disposed of without further page 20delay; and also that, in settling with them, fair regard should be had to the number of years during which their admitted right, however small, has been withheld from them.
John Bryce,
Chairman.