Nos. 256, 257, 258, 259, and 260 of 1882—Petitions of Whiripo te Puni and 96 Others, Henare Hoepa and 66 Others, Reta Teiputere and 92 Others, Arama Karaka and 220 Others, and Rawiri Kahia and 32 Others.

Petitioners state that the operation of the Thermal-Springs Act has been extended over lands never intended, and that the Act is in contradiction of the Treaty of Waitangi. They pray that the Act may be repealed so far as their lands are concerned.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the above petitions all refer to the Thermal-Springs Act, and are all couched in the same terms. Being a matter of public policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make.