Report on Petition of A. T. Patene and Others.

The petitioners, being Natives of the Waikato, urge that Road Board laws should have no effect in their district, because the Maoris are not able to pay their rates, and the consequence will be that they will have to sell their lands, and impoverish their descendants. The petition also contains arguments and objections against "The Native Land Court Bill, 1877."

I am directed to report as follows:—

That with reference to the desire of the petitioners to be relieved from road rates, the Committee do not deem it necessary or desirable to recommend any alteration in the law in the direction of further exemption of Native lands from local rates. And with regard to the statements and opinions of the petitioners upon "The Native Land Court Bill, 1877," the Committee recommend that they should receive the attention of the House and the Government, when the proposed legislation on the subject is under consideration.