No. 144 of 1881.—Petition of Pineamine Tuhaka and 136 Others.

Petitioners state that they were owners of Pakatipu-o-te-Ngaere, Poverty Bay District, sold to the Crown; that at the time of sale it was arranged that certain persons should receive the purchase-money for distribution to those entitled to share in it; that the persons thus appointed did not distribute the money. They pray that either land or money should be given to them.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, in its dealings with the land referred to, Government seems to have been quite regular, and paid to each grantee the due proportion of the purchase-money. One of the petitioners, Iritana Ngawiki, is one of the grantees. The Committee has no recommendation to make.