No. 250 of 1881.—Petition of Hirawa te Moananui and 69 Others (No. 1).

Petitioners state that certain money due to them for miners' rights, and for felling trees in the Ohinemuri District, had not been paid to them, and they pray for redress.

I am directed to report as follows:—

This transaction is still in progress, and is being dealt with as quickly as signatures are received to a deed of cession. The Government is recommended to acquaint the petitioners with the actual condition of the case, and settle the business as expeditiously as possible, as there seems to be considerable misapprehension in the minds of the Natives concerned.