Report on Petition of Arihi te Nahu.

The petitioner prays that the Native Marriages Bill of 1877 may not render valid retrospectively informal marriages between Maoris, and sets forth reasons showing that such a retrospective law would have an injurious effect upon herself.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That a Bill dealing with the matters referred to in the petition, and validating Maori marriages, is now before the House, and the Committee therefore recommend the petition to the consideration of the House in connection with the said Bill.