Report on Petition of Hariata te Rapu and Another.

Petitioners allege that in 1872 they sold to the then Government Agent, George Buckland Worgan, two sections of land containing, together, 800 acres, for the sum of £800, but that of that sum so agreed to be paid they have only received £240, and they pray for redress.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That it appears from evidence taken that the two petitioners each sold 400 acres of land to Mr. Worgan as agent for the Government for £1 per acre.

That Mr. Worgan paid to the petitioners the sum of £240, and no more.

That Mr. Worgan alleges that he paid the balance of the £800 to other Natives.

That there does not appear to have been any good reason for making such payment of the balance, and the Committee have no evidence, except Mr. Worgan's statement, that the payment was made.

That it appears to the Committee that the petitioners are entitled to the balance of their purchase-money.

That it also appears to the Committee that a searching inquiry into the transaction should be made without delay, especially with a view to ascertain whether the payment of the balance was made as alleged by Mr. Worgan; and, if so, to whom, and for what object.

[Translation.]
Ko te kupu a te Komiti mo runga i te Pukapuka-inoi a Hariata te Rapu me tetahi atu.

E ki ana nga kai-inoi i hokona e raua i te tau 1872 ki te kai-whakahaere (Komihana) a te Kawanatanga i reira ki a Te Wakana (George Buckland Worgan) nga piihi whenua e rua hui katoa nga eka e 800 monga, moni e £800. Engari heoti ano te wahi o taua moni i whakaaetia kia utua ra i tae ki a raua e £240, anake, a e tono ana raua kia whakaorangia raua.

Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei atu ki te Whare:—

E kitea ana i runga i nga korero i puta i te aroaro o te Komiti i hokona e ia tangata o nga kai-inoi nga eka whenua e 400 ki a Te Wakana (Mr. Worgan) i runga i te mea he kai-whakahaere ia no te Kawanatanga ko te utu £1 mo te eka.

I utua e Te Wakana (Mr. Worgan) ki nga kai-inoi e £240 heoi ano te utu i whiwhi ai raua.

E ki ana a Te Wakana (Mr. Worgan) i utua e ia te toenga o te £800 ki etahi atu Maori.

Kahore i kitea he take tika i utua peratia ai te toenga a kahore he korero ke i whakina ki te Komiti mo taua utunga ko ta Te Wakana (Mr. Worgan) korero anake.

E kitea ana e te Komiti e tika ana kia utua ki nga kai-inoi te toenga o te moni utu.

E whakaaro ana hoki te Komiti me tino kimi rawa nga tikanga o tenei mea inaianei tonu, he mea page 28kia kitea ai mehemea i tika te kupu a Te Wakana (Mr. Worgan) mo te utunga o te toenga a mehemea ka kitea e tika ana i utua ano me kimi kia kitea i utua ki a wai, a heaha hoki te take i utua ai.