No. 208, 1897.—Petition of Wawa Tuahiahi for self and Others.

Petitioners claim to be the owners of Waipapa Reserve (Native Hostelry), Mechanics Bay, Auckland, and pray for distribution of moneys said to be in the hands of the Public Trustee in connection with the same.

I am directed to report that the Committee, having considered this petition, finds that the Natives have no claim to the land; but, as considerable funds have accumulated from this and other similar reserves, it would recommend that the Government should devise some means of affording more suitable accommodation than exists at the present time for travelling Natives.