No. 178, Sess. II.—Petition of Wilson and Frere and Others (No. 2).

Petitioners state that they are leaseholders of Native reserves on the West Coast confiscated territory, whose leases were not recommended to the Governor for confirmation by the West Coast Commissioner through having been entered into after the date of the passing of "The Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners Trials Acts, 1879."

They pray, first, that their leases may be validated; and, secondly, that new leases may be granted to them by the Public Trustee, subject to the conditions contained in their existing leases.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee recommends that Government should cause inquiry to be made into the equities of these leases, and, if they are satisfied that the rents and other conditions are fair and just, should cause the leases to be confirmed, with such alterations as may be necessary, to protect the interest of the Native owners; but, as the lessees are not without blame in their negotiations, they ought not to have improvement clauses or the right of renewal at the expiration of existing leases.