Whakatane Grants Validation bill.

The Native Affairs Committee, to whom was referred the Whakatane Grants Validation Bill, by order of reference, 7th October, 1878, having fully considered the Whakatane Grants Validation Bill, and taken the evidence of the Hon. J. Sheehan, Mr. Clarke, and the Hon. Colonel Whitmore, are of opinion that, whereas some of the lands included in the schedule to the Bill have already been dealt with, and the sanction of the Crown obtained to the dealings therewith, it is desirable, as involving the good faith of the Crown, that the Bill should be passed; and, further, this Committee is of opinion that, in this and similar cases of reserves held in trust, no dealing by sale or lease should be sanctioned in future unless after public notice and as the result of public tender or auction; and that no leases should be for a longer period than twenty-one years. Also, that due provision should be made for the registration of the names of all persons concerned in the trusts, and for the appointing of trustees to take the place of those who may be removed by death.