No. 405.—Petition of Nui Hare and 30 Others.

Petitioners state that they are owners of the Island Motukaraka, situated at the mouth of the Tapuae River, in Hokianga Harbour. They say that George Webster claims to have a Crown grant of it. They think there must be a mistake, as the island contains only four acres, whilst Webster's grant shows thirty-five acres. They pray for an inquiry and redress.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That the land referred to has been held by various European owners since 1832, and is now in the hands of George Webster. In the Crown grant the swamps and mud-banks surrounding the dry land are included. The total area is about thirty-five acres, though the dry land is only about five acres. The Committee has no recommendation to make.