Report on Petition of Wiremu te Whareiro and Others.

This petition is from Natives of the Ngatipukenga tribe living in the Tauranga District. The petitioners pray that they may be allowed an opportunity of giving evidence in support of their claims to a block of land called Otawa, situated at or near Tauranga.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That it appears from evidence taken by the Committee that Messrs. Clarke and James Mackay were appointed in 1864, as Commissioners, to determine the quantities of confiscated land near Tauranga to be awarded to Natives who claimed under a promise made by Sir G. Grey that a certain proportion of the land in question should be restored. It appears from the evidence of Mr. Clarke that the claims set forth in the petition are of little or no value, but that a rehearing has been determined on by the Government on the application of other Natives.

The Committee do not feel justified in reporting specifically on the matter, beyond expressing an opinion that the petitioners should be heard in support of their claims.