No. 177, Sess. II.—Petition of Wilson and Frere and Others (No. 1).

Petitioners state they are leaseholders of Native reserves on the West Coast confiscated territory. Their leases were confirmed by His Excellency the Governor, under "The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881," and the Amendment Act of 1883, subject to the conditions contained in the leases.

They pray that, in addition, they may be allowed valuation for improvements, and, so far as possible, their leases may contain the same conditions as those granted by the Public Trustee.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the question of renewal of the leases mentioned in this petition is of peculiar difficulty; but the Committee considers that it might be disposed of to the advantage of both the lessees and the Natives by the surrender of such existing leases as were made prior to 1879, and giving in exchange new leases under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Acts, at rents to be computed upon the present improved value of the land. This would give the Natives at once the full yearly value of the land, and would leave the lessees free to continue to improve the freehold.

In any renewal to be made under this recommendation the West Coast Commissioner should be most careful to observe the conditions of clause 8 of "The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881" in reference to acting in concert with the Native owners.