Report on Petition of Retireti Tapihana, Iene Tapihana, and Perepe Tapihana, and Ruta te Manuahura, of Maketu.

Petitioners state that certain pieces of land in the Waikato, to which they, the petitioners, allege to have a claim, were confiscated in consequence of the Waikato tribes having been in rebellion, but the petitioners and the husband of Ruta te Manuahura have been loyal to the Queen throughout. They further allege that they were prevented by Waikato Natives from attending a sitting of the Compensation Court in Waikato, but that Mr. Clarke assured them that another opportunity would be afforded them of proving their claim. That, although they are prepared to prove their claim, and have made repeated applications to be allowed to do so, an opportunity has not been afforded them, and they pray the House for a consideration of their case and compensation.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That it appears certain, from the evidence of Mr. Clarke, that the allegations of the petitioners are substantially correct. The Committee therefore recommend that inquiry should be made into the extent of the claim which they were prevented from preferring at the Compensation Court referred to in the petitions, and that compensation be given to them accordingly.