No. 160, Session II.—Petition of Te Oti Pita Mutu and 25 Others (No. 1).

The petitioners state that the Native Land Court of 1868 conceded to them certain lakes as fishing reserves. They ask that all the land in the following named lakes should be given to them: Ohuapounamu, Torotoroa, and Waimaiaia; for the following reasons: That, in consequence of the provisions of the deed of sale from Ngaitahu in 1848, the Court considered that they were entitled to the eel fisheries. Four reserves were made—one of twenty acres (Torotoroa), one of fifteen acres (Ohuapounamu), one of ten acres (Waimaiaia), one of ten acres (Rakahuri). These reserves were vested permanently as fishing-grounds. That petitioners derived great sustenance from the eels, flounders, and inangas they caught there. They never had to buy meat, in consequence of the abundance of the fish. The Europeans, to benefit themselves, have drained the lakes, and the eels and other fish have all died. They now have to buy meat from Europeans. The Rangiora Road Board drained the lakes. The petitioners requested them not to do so, but the members of the Board threatened them with an action. They consulted Mr. Rolleston, and he said they were right, but they could not interfere with the drainage law. The petitioners proceed at great length to urge their claims to consideration at the hands of the House.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee regret that the time at their disposal has not been sufficient to enable them to make such inquiries as would justify them in reporting an opinion on the subject-matter of this petition.