No. 355 of 1882.—Petition of Robert Graham (No. 5).

Petitioner states that in 1881 he learned that the Government had a Proclamation over Oruanui, near Taupo; that he had, however, learned from newspapers and from Government agents, that the Government intended to retire from most incompleted transactions as soon as the money advanced could be recovered or an equivalent could be got in land; that the Government did get this equivalent; that petitioner then entered into negotiations to purchase the interest of two of the grantees, which succeeded; that the Proclamation has not been taken off the land; that, on the contrary, it is said that Government is now negotiating for the purchase of it, and has actually offered a larger price than the petitioner had agreed to give; and that, consequently, petitioner is suffering great loss.

I am directed to report as follows: —

That the block of land referred to in the petition was proclaimed in 1878 as being under purchase by the Government; and, this being within the knowledge of the petitioner, he has proceeded in his attempt to purchase in breach of the law, and has no claim on the consideration of the House.