No. 70.—Petition of Timoti Rapatini.

Petitioner, a half-caste, states that his father purchased long ago 150 acres of land from the Akaroa Natives, built a house, and lived in it, and that subsequently he, the petitioner, and his mother continued to reside there. The petitioner goes on to say that, when the Akaroa land was purchased page 4by the Government, a portion of land belonging to him was included in a Native reserve, which portion has been restored to him by the Natives. But the petitioner prays that the remaining portion, about 150 acres, may be restored to him, or that he may receive in some way its equivalent.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, the petitioner having failed to establish his claim before the constituted Courts, and the evidence before this Committee being entirely inconclusive, the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner to the favourable consideration of the House.