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1928. NEW ZEALAND.

LANDS COMMITTEE (REPORTS OF THE). (Mr. HOCKLY, Chairman.)

Presented to the House of Representatives, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the. Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 18th Day oe July, 1928. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed, consisting of ton members, to whom shall stand referred, after the first reading, all Bills affecting or in any way relating to the lands of the Crown, or education or other public reserves; the Committee to have power to make such amendments therein as it thinks proper, and to report generally when necessary upon the principles and provisions of the Bills ; the Committee to have power to call for persons, papers, and records ; three to be a quorum : the Committee to consist of Mr. Bitchener, the Hon. Mr. Buddo, Mr. Forbes, Mr. J. R. Hamilton, Mr. Hookly, Mr. Martin, Mr. McLennan, Mr. Savage, Mr. Walter, and the mover." (Hon. Mr. McLeod.) Friday, the 20th Day of July, 1928. Ordered, " That the Surveyors' Institute Amendment Bill be referred to the Lands Committee."—(Hon. Mr. McLeod.) Ordered, " That the Surveyors Registration Bill be referred to the Lands Committee."—(Hon. Mr. McLeod.) Tuesday, the 31st Day oe July, 1928. Ordered, " That all petitions not finally dealt with during the session of 1927 be again referred to the same Committees to which they were referred during the said session." —(Right Hon. Mr. Coates.) Wednesday, the 29th Day of August, 1928. Ordered, " That the Engineers Registration Amendment Bill be referred to the Lands Committee."—(Mr. Field.) Wednesday, the 3rd Day of October, 1928. Ordered, " That the amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General to the Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill be referred to the Lands Committee."—(Right Hot!. Mr. Coates.) Memoranda for the Chairman of the Lands Committee. Tho Bill intituled Sumner Borough Land Vesting Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 4th July, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Onerahi Water Reserve Enabling Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the sth July, 1928, stands referred to tho Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Christehurch Hospital Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the sth July, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Whangarei Abattoir-site Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 6th July, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Education Reserves Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 17th July, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Hanmer Crown Leases Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 17th July, 1928, stands referred to tho Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Wellington City and Suburban Water-supply Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 17th July, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Timaru Borough Empowering Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives in the 2nd August, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report,

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The Bill intituled Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 2nd August, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled New Plymouth Borough Council Empowering Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 2nd August, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Hutt River Board Empowering Bill, having been read a first time in the House of R'ipresenbatives on the 3rd August, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 3rd August, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 7th August, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Wellington City Empowering Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the Bth August, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Canterbury Provincial Buildings Vesting Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 4th .September, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 25th September, 1920, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill, having been read a first time in the' House of Representatives on the 26th September, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Local Legislation Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on. the 26th September, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Canterbury College and the Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 26th September, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Lands Laws Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the Ist October, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report. The Bill intituled Auckland University College Reserves Amendment Bill, having been read a first time in the House of Representatives on the 2nd October, 1928, stands referred to the Lands Committee for report.

INDEX.

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No. J Petitioner, &c. : Page, j Auckland University College Reserves 6 Amendment Bill 193 Bicknell, J. T. .. .. .. 4 220 Callaghan, Maria .. .. .. 5 Canterbury College and the Canterbury 6 Agricultural College Amendment Bill Canterbury Provincial Buildings Vesting 5 Bill Christchurch District Drainage Amend- 6 ment Bill Christchurch Hospital Amendment Bill 4 Education Reserves Bill .. .. 3 Engineers Registration Amendment Bill 5 Final Report .. .. .. I 7 Hanmer Crown Leases Bill . . . . 1 3 293 Hourigan, M. A. .. . . . . j 6 Hutt River Board Empowering Bill . . 4 259 Kaihu Valley Land Co., Ltd. . . 5 Land Laws Amendment Bill .. .. 6 Local Legislation Bill . . . . 6 20 Moulin, M. T. .. .. .. 3 j New Plymouth Borough Council Em- 4 ! powering Bill

! No. Petitioner, &c. j Page. Jl J ; . . I 145 Newton, A. W. .. .. .. 3 25 and 97 New Zealand Institute of Surveyors .. 3 166 Nunn, S. H. .. .. .. 5 i . . Onerahi Water Reserve Enabling Bill .. 3 260/24 O'Reilly, J. J. .. .. .. 4 131 ! Paterson, J. C., and 113 others .. 3 I Public Reserves, Domains, and National 4 Parks Bill 169 Reid, W., jun., and 288 others .. 4 Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill.. 6 Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill 7 (amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General) 178 Sheat, A., and 60 others .. .. 4 Sumner Borough Land Vesting Bill . . 5 Surveyors' Institute Amendment Bill . . 3 ! Surveyors Registration Bill . . .. 3 I Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill . . 6 Timaru Borough Empowering Bill . . 5 Wellington City and Suburban Water- j 5 supply Amendment Bill Wellington City Empowering Bill .. 6 | . . Whangarei Abattoir-site Amendment Bill 4 Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting Bill 5 ! 149,152, Williams, S. F. G. .. .. .. 6 153

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REPORTS. Hanmer Crown Leases Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 2nd. August, 1928.

Surveyors' Institute Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 2nd August, 1928.

Surveyors Registration Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached. 7th August, 1927.

Education Reserve Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment.

10th August, 1928. No. 20. —Petition of M. T. Moulin, of Arahiwi, Rotorua Line. Praying that her farm be taken over by the Government, owing to loss incurred by alleged excessive valuation. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition.

16th August, 1928. —— Nos. 25 and 97.—Petitions of New Zealand Institute of Surveyors. Praying for an amendment of the Engineers Registration Act, 1924. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee these "petitions should be referred to the Government for consideration, in order that the law may be amended so that, if possible, any cases of hardship suffered by the men whose names appear in the schedule to the petition may be redressed.

16th August, 1928. No. 45.—Petition of A. W. Newton, of Ohoka. Praying for registration as a civil engineer. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for consideration, in order that the law may be amended so that, if possible, any hardship suffered by the petitioner may be redressed. 16th August, 1928.

No. 131. —Petition of J. C. Paterson and 113 Others, of Wendonside. Praying for conversion, protection of improvements, and right to acquire freehold, of educationendowment leases. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make.

16th August, 1928. Onerahi Water Reserve Enabling Bill. The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 16th August, 1928.

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260/24. —Petition of J. J. O'Reilly, of Wanganui. Praying that he be granted reduction of valuation, alleged to have been intended by the District Revaluation Committee, upon his holding under the Discharged Soldiers Settlement Act. 1 have the honour to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. sth September, 1928.

Christchurch Hospital Amendment Bill. 1 have the honour to report that tbe Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 24tli August, 1928.

Public Reserves, Domains, and National Parks Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached. 24th August, 1928.

Whangarei Abattoir-site Amendment Bill. 1 have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 24th August, 1928.

No. 178. —Petition of A. Sheat and 60 Others, of Rangitaiki Drainage Area. Praying for the stop-banking and straightening of the Rangitaiki River, and tbe cutting of the large bend in the Whakatane River. I am directed to report that, as a question of policy is involved, the petition should be referred to the Government for consideration. 4th October, 1928.

No. 169. —Petition of W. Reib, Jun., of Upper Clutha Valley, and 288 Others. Praying for the appointment of a small Commission to report as to the amount of Crown land in Central Otago suitable for close settlement. I am directed to report that, as the subject-matter of this petition is one of policy, the Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1928.

No. 193. —Petition of J. T. Bicknell, of Featherston. Praying for compensation for alleged unjust treatment by Lands Department in connection with Section 2, Tawaha Estate. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition.. sth September, 1928.

New Plymouth Borough Council Empowering Bill. T have the honour to report that, in view of the statement made to the Committee by the member in charge of the Bill that it would be useless to proceed with it in view of the report of the Local Bills Committee, this Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1928.

Hutt River Board Empowering Bill. I have tlie honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that, in so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. sth September, 1928.

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Sumner Borough Land Vesting Bill. 1 have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached. sth September, 1928.

Timaru Borough Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached. sth September, 1928.

Wellington City and Suburban Water-supply Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that, in view of the statement made to the Committee by the member in charge of the Bill that it would be useless to proceed with it in view of the report of the Local Bills Committee, this Committee has no recommendation to make. sth September, 1928.

Whangarei Harbour Board Vesting Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that, in so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment. sth September, 1928.

Canterbury Provincial Buildings Vesting Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 13th September, 1928.

No. 166.—Petition of S. H. Nunn, of Christchurch. Praying for compensation on account of alleged wrongful prosecution by the Crown Lands Commissioner, Canterbury. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 25th September, 1928.

No. 220. —Petition of Maria Callaghan, of Green Island, Dunedin. Praying for compassionate allowance owing to loss through selling a farm to a returned soldier. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to this petition. 25th September, 1928.

No. 259.—Petition of Kaihu Valley Land Co., Ltd., of Auckland. Praying for refund of land-tax. I have the honour to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. 25th September, 1928.

Engineers Registration Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached. 25th September, 1928.

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Christchurch District Drainage Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with amendments as shown on copy of Bill attached. 25th September, 1928.

Canterbury College and the Canterbury Agricultural College Amendment Bill. 1 have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendments. 2nd October, 1928.

Reserves and other Lands Disposal Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendment shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 2nd October, 1928.

Swamp Drainage Amendment Bill. 1 have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed without amendment. 2nd October, 1928.

Auckland University College Reserves Amendment Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendment shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 3rd October, 1928.

Land Laws Amendment Bill. I HAve the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 3rd October, 1928.

Local Legislation Bill. 'The Lands Committee, to which was referred the above-mentioned Bill, has the honour to report that the said Bill has been carefully considered, and the Committee recommends that, so far as it affects the lands of the Crown, the Bill be allowed to proceed, with the amendments shown on the copy of the Bill annexed hereto. 3rd October, 1928.

Wellington City Empowering Bill. I have the honour to report that the Committee has carefully considered the above Bill, and recommends that it be allowed to proceed, with the amendment shown on the copy of the Bill attached hereto. 3rd October, 1928.

Nos. 149, 152, and 153.—Petitions of S. F. G. Williams, of Runciman. Praying for compensation for loss on a soldier's farm. I am directed to report that the Committee has no recommendation to make with regard to these petitions; 4th October, 1928.

No. 293. —Petition of Mary A. Hourigan, of Masterton. Praying for payment of compensation for Native lease surrendered before expiry. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a, view to assessing her equity in a year's occupation of the property, less the amount of a year's rent. 4th October, 1928.

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Reserves and other, Lands Disposal Bill (Amendments proposed by His Excellency the Governor-General). I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee has carefully considered the above-mentioned proposed amendments, and recommends that, in so far as the proposed new clauses are concerned, they be allowed to proceed, with the amendment as shown on a copy attached hereto. 4th October, 1928.

Final Report. I have the honour to report that the Lands Committee, consisting of ten members, has held fifteen meetings during the session, and the average attendance of members at these meetings has been seven members per meeting. Including one held over from last session, the Committee had referred to it sixteen petitions. All of these were duly considered and reported on. Twenty-five Bills were referred to the Committee, and all of these were considered and reported upon.

9th October. 1928.

F. F. Hookly, Chairman.

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