No. 286, 1889. —Petition of Erueru Pahau and 36 Others.

Petitioners pray that a block of land called Manutahi, belonging to them, but which is claimed by the Government, may be returned to them, as it was given away by a few foolish persons without petitioners’ knowledge.

I am directed to report as follows: That the main facts in this case arc that, in the year 1862, a block of land of about 600 acres was ceded by some twenty-five Natives to the Government as a school-endowment. They allege that only three of those who signed had any right to the land; that they have been always in occupation; that the Government have never applied the land to the purposes for which it was given; that they have given other land close by for a school-site; and that they have no other land in that special locality for cultivation. Under the circumstances, the Committee would recommend the Government to investigate this matter, and make such settlement with the Natives as the requisites of the case demand.