No. 4, 1890.—Petition of Mr. Charles Binney.

Petitioner prays for compensation for expenses he has been put to in getting deeds for his land, through the neglect, as he alleges, of the Native Department.

I have the honour to report as follows: That this Committee are of opinion that the petitioner has suffered in having the second time to procure a transfer and pay duty on Koao o Tahurangi No. 1 Block; possibly Mr. Binney's solicitor has been partly to blame in the matter. But the misleading reply to Mr. Binney's letter of December, 1887, suggests negligence on the part of some one in the employ of Government, as the duty on this land had already been received by a Mr. Warren, who professed to act from the Native Land Court Office; and on making this payment the completion of the title followed, and further expense to the petitioner avoided. Under the above circumstances, this Committee recommend the matter to the consideration of the Government.