No. 263.—Petition of Honiana Mauparaoa and Others.

Petitioners pray that a block of land called Nuhaka, in the Provincial District of Hawke's Bay, sold in 1864 to the Government of Sir Donald McLean, may be restored to them, on the ground that the sole right of sale did not vest in the persons who signed the deed.

I am directed to report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the question of Native title to land which is raised in this petition is one which cannot be inquired into satisfactorily by a Select Committee of the House, and they have no recommendation to make on the subject.