Report on the Petition of Frederic Sutton.

The Petitioner states that he has suffered loss in consequence of his not being able to recover his costs in an action which he gained against persons of the Native race, and prays that the law may be altered so as to render lands which have been Crown-granted to Maoris available for the recovery of costs in civil actions.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, in the opinion of the Committee, the petitioner has not established a case of hardship in the instance cited, inasmuch as it appears, from evidence taken by the Committee, that a bond for the law expenses was taken or agreed to be taken before the appeal was heard. And the Committee are page 8further of opinion that an alteration of the law, in the direction prayed for by the petitioner, would be productive of unfortunate results.

They therefore cannot recommend the prayer of the petitioner to the favourable consideration of the House.