Reports of the Native Affairs Committee, 1876.

Report on Petition of Henry Robert Russell

Report on Petition of Henry Robert Russell.

The petitioner states that in November, 1872, he obtained from two Natives of Hawke's Bay a memorandum of charge on certain land in that province, as security for money advanced, and that this deed was duly executed and registered as an instrument not coming within the provisions of "The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870;" that about eight months subsequently, an Act of the Assembly was passed entitled "The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act Amendment Act, 1873," which, by retrospective action, provided that instruments of the nature of that executed in favour of the petitioner should be deemed to come within the provisions of "The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act, 1870," and that thus the petitioner has been deprived of his security. He therefore prays for relief.

I am directed to report as follows:—This Committee is of opinion that no sufficient cause has been made out for interfering with the provisions of "The Native Lands Frauds Prevention Act Amendment Act, 1873."

John Bryce,
Chairman.

24th October, 1876.