No. 161.—Petition of Riperata Kahutia and Others.

Petitioners state they are entitled, by Native custom, to a piece of land situate at Poverty Bay, and known as Papatu; that in 1869 the surveyor employed by the Government encroached on this Papatu Block to the extent of about 2,000 acres.

They pray that this land wrongfully or erroneously taken from them as aforesaid may be speedily returned, and also that they may be granted such other relief as the House shall deem fit.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee, having taken the evidence of Mr. Clarke, of the Native Department, and Mr. Locke, a gentleman intimately acquainted with the question raised by this petition, and having also examined three of the petitioners, are of opinion that the petitioners have utterly failed to establish a grievance.