No. 32, Sess. II.—Petition of Te One Hiporite and 20 Others.

Petitioners complain that the portion of land reserved to them to live on is too small. They ask that an extra portion may be allotted to them and their descendants.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the Government be recommended to take into early consideration the position of the petititioners, the Committee believing that their land is insufficient for their reasonable wants, and that a moderate provision for them should be made. It seems that the original grant amounted to only about 6½ acres per head, which was sufficient so long as the Natives had the ran of the neighbouring unoccupied lands. The lands are now hemmed in by European occupiers, and they are thus confined absolutely to their own holdings. Their land also is subject to destructive floods, to their very great loss, and necessitating special help from the Commissioner. Probably legislation may be needed to enable Government to carry out the recommendation here made. Probably any difficulty might be got over by a provision in the Special Powers and Contracts Act.