No. 264.—Petition of Huru te Hiaro.

The petitioner sets forth that about twenty-five years ago a block of land in the Wairarapa, called Opaki, was ceded to the Government by certain Natives; that the petitioner, through his mother, had a claim to portions of that block, but that at the time of the sale he was not aware of it, as his near relations had migrated to the Chatham Islands. The petitioner further alleges that he has never received money or any other satisfaction for his claim, and he prays that he may receive such redress as to the House may seem fit.

I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the question of Native title to land which is raised by this petition is one which cannot be inquired into satisfactorily by a Select Committee of the House, and they have no recommendation to make on the subject.