ORAKEI NATIVE RESERVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 80, 3 April 1906, Page 5

ORAKEI NATIVE RESERVE.

TO BE SUBDI"\*IDED FOR BUILniNG.; ; The Hpn. Jasi Carroll, NativeC Minis-. terj met a deputation from the Orakei natives/ consisting of "Watene, Tautafy Hori Paerimu, Hikiera, Taieriia,. ■_• and King Ruarangi, members of the Ngatiwliatiia, tribe, and, with them discussed the" proposal or taking over the Orakei reserve and cutting it up for building sections. The Minister proposed that this' should be done on liberal terms, ■which would invite the natives' agreement, .every provision being made to duly safeguard their' interests. He pointed out that perhaps ifc would be more congenial to them to live ron thieir lands in the Kaipara district;, near Helensville,, and to allow the reserve at Orakei to be opened up in it manner, satisfactory to the pakeha for resident. tial ; sites. He thought that it would be necessary to pass a special bill giving extra powers to carry, into effect that which was desired. The. promiscuous and indiscriminate way of dealing with the land -heretofore adopted was .not satisfactory either to the natives or the Europeans. Some pf = the latter had fstirly: long others rights, and ; so forth,-and the :whole-matter.re-quired placing on. a sound footing. If ttat were done he was certain they would appreciate the results. The natives were highly pleased with the Minister's remarks, and declared to, him that they would do .every tidng theycould to assist him, in carrying out his views. They ivoiild require the reserya-. tion of sections for the burial ground and the site of a the balance being dealt with as suggested. The area comprised within the proposal is some 708 acres of' first-da? k land, handy to the city, , and having a frontage to the harbour..After the the Ministerj accompanied by Mr F. La wry; M.H.R., and one of the cfiiefs, was driven out to the re-; serve by Dr. J. H. Neill in his motorcar.