No. 47.—Petition of Edward Boyes and 55 Others.

Petitioners state that for many years they have occupied Native trust lands at Motueka and Riwaka, at heavy rents; that upon the faith of their leases being renewed they have made improvements and built houses; and that they believe the value of their improvements will be confiseated at the expiry of their leases by the provisions of "The Native Reserves Act, 1882." They pray that "The Native Reserves Act, 1882," may be amended by incorporating with it the provisions as to leasing contained in "The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1882."

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee is of opinion that the interests of the petitioners have been materially affected by "The Native Reserves Act, 1882." In dealing with the trust lands which they occupy there was always an understanding that the tenants should have a renewal of their leases upon paying such reasonable advance in rent as the general increase in the value of the land might warrant, and leaving to them the value of their own substantial improvements. Under this tacit agreement, which was one of honour and not of law, the tenants have greatly improved their holdings, not only by superior husbandry, but by building, fencing, draiming, &c., and have thus much increased even the value of the freehold. The holding are small, ranging from about five to fifty acres, and the rents are already very high, reaching as much as £1 to £2 per acre per annum. This increased value has arisen from the labour of the tenants themselves. Under "The Native Reserves Act, 1882," their customary interest is annihilated, and the Public Trustee will be bound, on the termination of each lease, to put up the land to public competition and to get the highest rent procurable. This is a hardship which was not contemplated by the Legislature. The tenants do not seek for perpetual leases at present rents. They only ask that that part of the property which is of their own creation should be secured to them by law, and point out that if the provisions of "The Land Act 1877 Amendment Act, 1882," were incorporated with "The Native Reserves Act, 1882," They would be satisfied. The Committee recommends this matter to the attention of the Government with a view to early legislation towards meeting the equitable claims of tenants of all Native resrves leased prior to the coming into operation of "The Native Reserves Act, 1882."