No. 298 of 1882.—Petition of Eru Tahere and 11 Others.

Petitioners refer to a petition sent in in 1881, in reference to cutting down trees for a trig station at Manga Maru and Ninihi. They say that the report of the Committee that the work was done for the Maoris themselves is incorrect; and that Mr. Patrick, the surveyor, had acknowledged this in the presence of the member for the Northern Maori District. They say that they did not want a trig station, but only a survey of the outer boundaries of the land.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That this subject came up for consideration last year on the petition of Hoterene Wi Pou and others. The Committee has no further evidence, and can only repeat the report of last session, as follows:" That some trees seem to have been cut down in the progress of a survey by Mr. Patrick. The surveyor was virtually in the employment of the Natives themselves, and under the circumstances the petitioners have no claim against the colony."