No. 230 of 1882.—Petition of Te Pokiha Taranui and 3 Others.
Petitioners pray that consideration may be shown to Mr. Robert Graham, because he averted disturbance at Maketu in 1878, and that facilities should be given him to lease land at Koutu and Kawaha.
I am directed to report as follows:—
That the Committee cannot recommend any departure from the natural action of the Thermal-Springs Act, in favour of Mr. Graham. There is a great jealousy on the part of the Natives in regard to Europeans getting a surreptitious footing in the country, and these persons sent Mr. Tipitipi, himself holding a large interest in the land, to give evidence against the prayer of this petition. The Government has had a lease of the land referred to since 1874.