No. 172, 1891, Seas. II.—Petition of Waata Tohu.

Petitioner prays that authority may be granted for the sale to him of Section 11, Mangatainoka Block, in order that he may have a compact block of 100 acres for himself and people at their pa.

I am directed to report that this Committee is of opinion that the above-mentioned petition should be referred to the Government, with the recommendation that Section 11 of the Mangatainoka Block be put up to auction loaded with the value of the improvements which are stated to have been made thereon by the petitioner, in order that he may have an opportunity of purchasing what has been his ancestral land. The Committee further consider that it would not be desirable to include this section in any special settlement so as to prevent the acquisition of the land by the petitioner should he be prepared to pay the auction price for it.