NATIVE AFFAIRS ENQUIRY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21179, 1 June 1934, Page 8

NATIVE AFFAIRS ENQUIRY

COMMISSION SITS AT GISBORNE EVIDENCE BY LAND COURT JUOGE irites.* -vv-oi lATIUN TBLKORAU:., GISBORNE, May 31. The Native Atl'airs Commission continued its sittings in Gisborno to-day. The members of the commission are Mr Justice Smith (chairman), Mr J. Alexander (Auckland), Mr L. W. Nelson (Whangarei), and Mr D. G, Johnston (Wellington), Mr R. H. Quillam (New Plymouth), instructed by the Government, is appearing to assist the commission, and Mr G. P. Finlay (Auckland) is representing the native race. Judge Ilarvey, of the Native Land Court, continued his testimony, stating that Goldsmith, manager of the Waiapu Farmers' Co-op., had full control of the Waiapu schemes, though communicating to a great extent wilh Wellington. Witness felt sore and would have liked to see everything come through the Gisborne office. There was little cohesion between the offices concerning the coast scheme. The Gisborne oflice was hopelessly in the dark as to what was being done. Had there been an adequate staff he believed the Audit Department would have had no ground for complaint. Witness supervised seven development schemes wilh one accountant and a small stall', and also, as agent for the East Coast Commissioner, was concerned with farming 90,000 acres. The financial position of this trust had been very bad, but was now sound. Taken right through, the development schemes were a success. The work was done more by collaboration with the Minister than by direction from hiin. It was that the Minister called team-work. Dialing with the stores issues. Judge Harvey, in answer to the chairman, said he was worried about grass seed being issued to the suppliers at the dairy factory, and had gone into the matter with the Treasury, the impression then being that all would be repaid. In March, 1033, the seed was sent up under instructions from Wellington; from whom, witness could not say from memory. His Honour: Did you know it was going to persons outside the development scheme?— Yes. His Honour: But you did it because of instructions?— Yes. I was given instructions from Wellington.

Guarantee of Accounts Judge Harvey, in reply to a question by the chairman, said it was not advisable to guarantee accounts with storekeepers. All that could be done was to arrange with a storekeeper to be on the land when the men were being paid. Witness gave details of the work done by the Maori Land Board, and said the board took over the Anarau station really to save the land for the Maoris. The idea of getting Maori land back into Maori occupation had been a favourite topic on the ccast for years. Ever since 1921 that was the ideal the board had striven for. The chairman of the commission highly complimented Judge Harvey on the reports, stating it was clear that he put his heart and soul into the work. Richard James Thompson, acting registrar of the board, gave an explanation of the instructions to forward manures for the Waiapu, Matakaoa, and Porporo schemes. Evidence was also given by G. D. Turnbull, a public works engineer, on loan to the Native Department since last year regarding work done on the schemes. All the contracts had not been completed, due probably to seasonal work. He could not get the Maoris to register. They did not oppear to understand. The chairman: Isn't it possible they want to be left alone. Witness: Probably they do. The chairman: And smilo at all the fuss. Witness said much of the work don© was 100 cheap.