No. 301 of Session II., 1879.—Petition of Pene Te Ua and 3 Others.

Petitioners state that some of them are grantees from the Crown, or successors of deceased persons, or husbands of female grantees. That Archibald Anderson and James watt held the blocks of lands called Te-Awa-o-te-Atua and Kakiraawa, but the validity of the title was disputed. That petitioners executed a deed of conveyance and confirmation in January, 1870, to the above-named persons for £17,500; the arrangements for the execution of the deed was effected on petitioners' behalf by the Hon. Henry Russell and John Sheehan, and that those two gentlemen received the £17,500; that no account has been rendered by the Hon. Henry Russell and John Sheehan of the manner in which the sum has been disbursed. It is stated that large sums were paid for legal costs, and some part is alleged to have been lodged in the bank. Small sums have been paid to some of the petitioners, but not the full amount due to them. Petitioners are advised that to obtain redress by recourse to law would be very expensive, and might be indefinately protracted, and petitioners have not the means to institute proceedings. They pray that the above subjects may be investigated and inquired into by the House.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the question raised by the petitioners should be referred to a Court of law. The Committee has therefore no recommendation to make.