No. 183, Session II.—Petition of Teoti Pita Mutu and 25 Others (No. 2).

Petitioners state that the following were the only pieces of land given to them by the Court in 1868, owing to the Kaiapoi lands being given away to Natives of other parts—namely, at Rakaia Hakatera, Wairewa, and Tarawera. They would carefully hold them in trust, but ask for power to lease them, so as to use them with advantage. In 1877 they asked for a Court to investigate their lands and adjust the interest of those claiming the reserves. The Court has never been appointed. All the lands have been leased, and the rent amounts to £718 per annum. The people number 100. All the fish have been destroyed through the lakes being drained. They ask that their grievances may be redressed.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee regret that the time at their disposal has not been sufficient to enable them to make such inquiries as would justify them in reporting an opinion on the subject-matter of this petition.