UREWERA LANDS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 49, 26 August 1921, Page 2

UREWERA LANDS

CONSOLIDATION PROCEEDING

One of the big difficulties in the way, of the settlement of tho Urewera problem has been overcome by the Nativ<<s agreeing to give 20,000 acres of land to the Lrown, in lieu of cash, as their contribution towards the roading of the blockDiscussing tho progreas of the general negotiations, the Minister of Lands (the Hon. D. H. Guthrie), said yesterday that the soheme of consohdatwn could be regarded as settled as far as the northern Urewera Block was concerned, 'the terms being satisfactory to both the Government and the Natives. Consolidation has 'been effected also in tho Te Whiti area, where the Government purchases and the remaining Native interests had been assigned to definite blocks. The officers of the Lands Department and the Native Department were at present negotiating for a block of 26,000 acres north of Lake waikaremoana. This block of bush country was required for -the conservation of thye waters of the lake. Ho thought that_ an arrangement satisfactory to all parties would be made. '

The Minister added that ho and the Native Minister were gratified at the progress that had been made. Difficulties that had been' regarded .as almost insuperablo were disappearing, and a complete and final settlement of the Urewera problem seemed to be in sight. Much work would have to be done in tho roading of the block,- and care tvas being take'fi';t6'"e'hsUre > th'ffitvthb''TtWad4"tvere laid out in a. manner fair' to the Native owners as .well as the Government. Two of the officers at present engaged in the scheme of consolidation would be kept in the district for some time' to direct tha roading system. ' '