No. 383, 1891, Sess. II.—Petition of Hoani Meihana and Others.

Petitioners allege that the Crown has taken possession of 7,625 acres in excess of the area intended when the Pahiatua Block was purchased. They pray for compensation or other relief.

I am directed to report that, as the Government have received an area of land largely in excess of the 125,000 acres mentioned in the deed of conveyance in connection with the purchase of the blocks of land known as the Wairarapa end of the Seventy-mile Bush, as agreed upon by petitioners, this Committee is of opinion that the above petition should be referred to the Government, with the recommendation that the petitioners should be paid at the rate of 10s. per acre for the 7,625 acres said by them to be the excess.