No. 115 of Session I., 1879.—Petition of Haterea Kotutekorinuku.

Petitioner states that an island in Port Cooper, called Ripapa, was never purchased by the Europeans; and that, no matter what any one may say, he is the sole descendant of its real owner. He therefore prays either to be paid for the island, or granted land elsewhere.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, in the opinion of this Committee, the question of Native title to land which is raised in this petition is one which cannot be inquired into satisfactorily by a Select Committee of the House, and they therefore recommend that the attention of the Government be drawn to the General Report of the Native Affairs Committee brought up in 1876, with a view to effect being given to the same; and further, that the jurisdiction of the Court, the establishment of which is recommended, may include questions such as are raised in this petition.