Report on Petition of the Ngatitoa Tribe.

This is a petition presented last session, and referred back, in consequence of the Native Affairs Committee of last year not having reported an opinion to the House.

The petitioners, who are members of the Ngatitoa tribe, allege that, at or after the purchase of lands in the neighbourhood of Wellington, Sir George Grey promised that certain reserves should be made for the Natives, and that these promises have not been carried out.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee, having taken the evidence of Mr. Clarke, of the Native Office, on this petition, are of opinion that it should be made the subject of inquiry by the Government, and that such redress be afforded as the petitioners maybe found entitled to; and, further, that should the petitioners be found entitled to receive land, that it ought to be awarded at such place or places as may be deemed most suitable, and not necessarily in the situations originally promised or selected.

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