No. 295 of 1880.—Petition of Wi Pere and 164 Others.

Petitioners reside at Tauranga. They state that they hold their lands under four titles—namely, by Crown grant, certificate of title, memorial of ownership, and Native custom; that, owing to this complication, they cannot settle Europeans upon their property; that if the lands were vested in trustees and committees appointed by themselves they might be subdivided and leased to advantage; that the majority of owners are agreed that this appointment of trustees is desirable; that those who do not agree should have their portions set apart for their own use; that they consider the trustees should have power to borrow money for the improvement of the land. To carry out their wishes the petitioners pray that the East Coast Native Lands Special Settlements Bill, 1880, be passed.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the petition refers to a matter of public policy now under the consideration of Parliament, and that the Committee has therefore no recommendation to make.