No. 288 of 1882.—Petition of William Worker.

Petitioner states that on the 26th October, 1875, he paid to the Native owners of Pakiri Block (now belonging to the Government) £130 on account of two portions of land afterwards declared to be within said block. He prays that, upon payment of the balance of the purchase-money, he may be placed in possession of the land or get other relief.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That Mr. Worker paid his money away under a mistaken impression. The land passed through the Court in 1869, and the certificate of title was issued in 1870. In 1872 Government began to purchase, and completed the transaction for two-thirds of the block in 1880. The case is a hard one, and Mr. Worker was evidently a bonâ fide settler. The Committee recommends Government to consider whether, under the Special Powers and Contracts Bill, or by means of putting up the land for sale with a reserve for cost and improvements, redress could be found for an evident hardship.