NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 125, 4 June 1885, Page 2

NATIVE LAND LEGISLATION.

Tho Big Fight of tho Coming Session,

(BY TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Wellington, this day. The great fight of tho coming session will, I anticipate, tako placo ovor the Nativo Land Sottlcmont Bill. This bill provides moans by which nativo lands can bo disposed of, oither by way of salo or loaso undor the land laws of tho colony. Aftor thoy havo passed through tho Nativo Land Court, tho ownors of a block of land will have power to appoint from among themeelves (if they aro eight or more in number) a committee, consisting of seven persons, who will have tho right to deal with the land, subject to certain powers of control on the part of tho ownors. If tho number is seven or lees, then tho ownors themeelvos will have the powera of a committee. Native boards will be constituted for certain defined districts, and will havo the power upon tho recommendation of tho committee to tako the land and use it for settlement pur-, poses in a way similar to tho operations of tho Waste Lands Board. Tho commissioners of theeo bonrds will havo large powers entrusted to them, but always subject on tho ono hand to tho recommendations of tho committee of owners, and on tho other hand to tho regulations of the Governor in Councillor bringing into force tho land laws undor which tho land will be administered. Land is now being rapidly put through Native Land Court with a viow te bringing it undor tho operation of the new bill.