Final Report.

I Am directed to report that the Native Affairs Committee held its final meeting of this session yesterday morning (3rd November, 1904).

During the session forty-eight meetings were held of the main Committee, and the subcommittee appointed to consider and report on petitions held over from former years met five times and duly reported on the seventy-nine petitions referred to it.

The total number of petitions referred, including the above-mentioned seventy-nine, was 175. of these, 156 were duly considered and reported on; the remaining nineteen, as per schedule attached, are held over to nest session.

In the case of the petitions of Kuini Wi Rangipupu and Heni te Rau, relating to lands in the hands of the Public Trustee, the evidence taken by the Committee has been printed, and will be found in Parliamentary Paper I.-3A.

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The Committee also considered and reported on the Native Land Rating Bill, the Rating Act Amendment Bill, the Taumutu Native Commonage Act Amendment Bill, and the Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Bill.

I am also directed to report that the following resolution was unanimously carried on the motion of the Right Hon. Mr. Seddon, viz.:—

"That the Committee tenders its warmest thanks to Mr. Houston for his services and close attention to the business as Chairman, and in doing so expresses the hope that he may long be spared to continue his support to the Native race and the House as he has done for the past fourteen years."