PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 171, 19 July 1907, Page 4

PARLIAMENTARY GOSSIP.

(By Telegraph.—-Parliamentary ReporterA

WELLINGTON, Thursday."

TRANSACTIONS IN NATIVE LANDS*

The Under-Secretary for Lands report, ing on the native land purchase oper« atious of the Government for the past financial year, under the Maori La n( j Settlement Act, 1905. states in the Auckland district 205,016 acres have Keen purchased, or are. under negotiation, ftv Hawke's Bay 7954 acres, Taranaki and Wellington 7975 acres, making a total of 320,945 acres. The areas secured in. Auckland comprise 167.520 acres puj. chased by Mr. W. H. Grace, extending roughly from Mercer to Taumaranur' 1 und the Ohura Valley. Mr. James Mac! - kay had purchased 24,93S acres in ths Thames, Coromandel, Ohinemuri and iV Piako counties, and Major Dean Pit£ 12.257 acres in the Bay of Plenty, disvtrict. The area purchased by Mr. GrieaH includes 11,000 acres in the Te Akau* blocks. The expenditure for 1906-7 is as follows: —Charges and expenses, on issue of debentures, £767 10/; purchasa of Maori lands, £99,873; survey liens paid off, £4041; salaries and general administrative expenses. £1706; making a total of £106,389. The balance avaiK able for the current year is £96,574.

STATE COAL 'MTNES. The annual report of the State Coal - Mines Department shows that duruS'tp the year ended March last, 106,509 toils of coal were dealt with, the output.being valued at £155,097. The Point Elizabeth Colliery supplied 163,47S tons with a value of £133,525, and"the Se<ldonville mine, 33,030 tons, valued -at £24,571. The net profit was £8460' for j the year. JOTTINGS. The member for New Plymouth", has suggested that the Government should grant a substantial bonus to any person. - or company that will produce at least five thousand cases of kerosene oil;, of approved quality, from products obtainable ' in the colony.

The Minister' for Lands is being asked by Mr Stallworthy whether he is aware that important matters are being delay* ed ia the Auckland Land Department, owing to a lack of surveyors in the Government employ, and whether- he will take steps to remedy this undesirabla state of things.