No. 45.—Petition of Wahanui, Taonui, Rewi Maniapoto, and 412 Others.

[Petition printed, see Parliamentary Paper, J.-l.]

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Committee has not thought it necessary to summon any of the petitioners to give evidence on this petition; but a considerable amount of evidence has been given on other petitions bearing incidentally upon its allegations. After careful consideration the Committee has arrived at an opinion that the complaints and fears expressed are too well-founded, and that the apparent desires of the petitioners are reasonable. The Committee therefore recommends the petition to the favourable consideration of the House when the Native Committees Bill and the Native Land Sales Bill are before it. Of course, the Committee cannot pronounce upon the allegations respecting boundaries or tribal rights.