No. 23 of 1878.—Petition of Henry Alley.

The petitioner, who is a European, states that in the year 1872 he entered into negotiations for the lease of a block of land in the Upper Thames Valley, and subsequently obtained it from the Native owners. That his occupation of the said leasehold was objected to by the Government Agents, Messrs. Clarke and Puckey, and that his cattle were driven off by Natives, at the instigation, as he believes, of the said Government Agents. Petitioner prays that his statement may be investigated by persons unconnected with the Native Department, and that he may be reinstated in possession of his lease-hold, and that such other relief may be given him as the House may deem fit.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the petitioner's case was fully inquired into in 1875 by the Public Petitions Committee, and was reported on as follows:—"That the petitioner has no claim whatever against the Government on account of any loss which he may have sustained in consequence of being unable to obtain possession of the land in question." No fresh evidence having been submitted by the petitioner, the Committee are not of opinion that they would be justified in reviewing the decision of the Public Petitions Committee, and have, therefore, no further recommendation to make on the subject.