No. 255, Session II.—Petition of Wi Parata.

Petitioner states that he is a chief of the Ngatitoa tribe on the West Coast; that he was formerly a member of the Cabinet, and was requested to redress certain grievances—one was the misappropriation by the Bishop of Wellington of a block of land at Porirua, which was given for a Native school; that petitioner was advised to have recourse to the Supreme Court, which suit proved abortive; and petitioner was personally responsible for the taxed costs, as follows: Bishop of Wellington, £121 2s. 6d.; Attorney-General, £46 7s. 6d.; costs between attorney and client (taxed), £224 2s. 4d.: total, £391 12s. 4d. Petitioner prays that this charge may be borne by the Native estimates of the colony.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee cannot recommend the prayer of the petition to the favourable consideration of the House.