CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 November 1924, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

WEST COAST LEASES. (Tq the Editor). Sir, —Referring to the paragraph appearing in your issue of Saturday last, it might be of interest to your readers to know why the Native owners of certain blocks of land in this district have decided to become incorporated and have their committees of management: The lands which have been incorporated were part of what 'is known as “the ten years leases,” and were administered up to 1920 by riie Public Trustee, but since that year and up to the end of June last, when die leases expired, by the Native Trustee. During the terms of the leases twothirds of the rental was deducted by the Native Trustee to pay for “improvements” effected on the land during the term, but at the expiration of the leases, it was found that the sinking fund so created- was not by any means sufficient to pay for the improvement. The balance owing has been provided by the Government, which lias registered charges on these lands for the deficiency, and the full amount for the improvements has, it is understood, been paid out to the lessees by the Native Trustee.' When the Native owners inspected their lands at the expiration of the leases it was found that in nearly every case the lessees had not fulfilled the covenants of the leases, particularly as to noxious weeds and cultivation. It is proposed to ask the lessees where necessary to. pay to the Native owners damages for the alleged breaches of covenant, and, if necessary, to take such action as they be advised to recover such damages. As you, Mr Editor, can no doubt see, it would be somewhat unwieldy for all the .owners of the blocks to take action, so it has been decided to take advantage of Part XVII of the Native Land Act, 1909, and have committees of management to look after the interest -of the owners. This is the first occasion that this method of looking after Native interests has been attempted in the Taranaki district. During the September sitting of the Native Land Court, and the sitting which ended last Saturday, orders of incorporation have been made for six blocks. While agreeing that Judge Brown is in sympathy with the desires of the Natives wishing for incorporation, as he always is and lias been, and acknowledging the consideration given by him in his judicial : .parity, the native owners whom I represent desire to express their appreciation of the attention he has given to all matters concerning the Native race and his unfailing courtesy. Some of the lands, the leases of which have expired, have been handed back to the Native owners in such a condition that it is impossible for. them to reap any benefit therefrom for many years to come, and they have been put to untold thought and trouble in attempting to obtain redress for the unfortunate position that they are now placed in through no fault of their, own. \s publicity has . again been given to these matters of incorporation of owners, the of the Native race affected desire to record their appreciation of the services rendered by their Native agent, Mr Rowlands, who has devoted practically all his time and energy for some months past in trying to effect a solution of the difficulties of the Natives. and thankfulness that owing to his assistance there is every indication that their grievances will no doubt be amicably settled.—l am, etc., JOHN MORGAN. (On behalf of the Natives affected).