No. 5 of 1880.—Petition of Tamati Paitai and 21 Others.

Petitioners complain that, in 1853, certain natives had wrongfully sold to an. European certain lands the property of the petitioners; that in 1873, another European had attempted to enter into possession That petitioners had never received any compensation. That during all this time, and up to the present, petitioners have resided upon the property, and that they fear a disturbance may result in consequence of the dispute. They pray that their ease should be duly considered and redressed.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, the Committee having learned that, with the consent of the Natives, the Chief Surveyor in Auckland has been instructed to survey the lands referred to in the petition of Tamati Paitai, with a view to the settlement of existing disputes, the petition be referred to the Government, with the recommendation that, as the matter has been the source of annoyance for a long period, an effort should be made to settle it at an early date.