THE WEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES BILL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 149, 17 September 1881, Page 2

THE WEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES BILL.

The preamble sets forth that it is | desirable to make provision for regulating [ the disposal of the lands set apart for the natives within the West Coast Land Dist trict. The only exceptions mentioned \ are reserves Which were, previously to , the passing of this Bill, subject to any Act ) relating to Native Beserves. The Bill L makes provision for the Governor in ' Council to frame regulations for the , general administration of the reserves, for ' the appointment of trustees, who are also 1 to be receivers of rents. Every trustee is ' to have power to deal with the land on ' behalf of the natives, as though the land were vested in him, subject, of coarse, to the provisions of the proposed Act. The trustee may deal with the reserves placed under his control, and prepare leases, subject to the following conditions : — " (1) For agricultural purposes, to any person or persons for any term not exceeding twenty-one years in possession, subject to such covenants and provisoes.as shall seem fair and equitable; and (2) For building purposes, for any period not exceeding forty - two years r>y renewable terms, not exceeding twenty-one years each, subject to a new assessment of rent at every such renewal, subject as aforesaid. (3) No person, by himself or by any other person on his behalf, shall ba allowed to bold of suburban land more than forty acres, and of rural land more than six hundred and forty acres; but any person may occupy together suburban and rural lands not exceeding the maximum area thereof respectively." " (a) Every lease shall be disposed of by public tender or by publio auction, v after due notification thereof has been given at least twice by advertisement in a newspaper having general circulation in the district wherein the land to be leased is situate, as the trustee shall think the most fitting in each case, (b) The rent to be resrrved shall be the best improved rent obtainable at the time, (c) No fine, premium, or foregift shall, in j any case, be taken upon any lease, (d) * No person in any way concerned with the administration of this Act shall in any case be personally interested, directly or indirectly, in any lease, nor shall there be imported therein any provision or covenant for tbe private advantage of any such person, (c) Every lease shall be prepared at the cost of the lessee, which shall be paid before any such lease shall be signed by the lessor." Where any reserves are held, subject to conditions, restrictions, &c, five members of the tribe may petition the Government co annul such restriction. The expenses of the administration of the Act will be a charge on the consolidated fund; bufe such a percentage on all rents and moneys received as the Governor in Council may prescribe, may be charged against the proceeds by the trustee, and paid by him into the Public Account. The trustee being the receiver of all rents, shall as soon as possible pay over the same to the native owners, after deducting any charges allowed by law. A portion of the rents may be applied for native schools, such proportion to be at the discretion of the owners, and to be fixed by them. In respect to leases already entered into by natives within the West Coast Land District, they may be confirmed, subject to the following conditions :—: — "The Governor in Council, on being satisfied by the report of any Commissioner under the said Act, — (1) That any such lease was made bona fide and granted by the persons since shown to be entitled to the land described in the lease, or that, subsequent to the issue of a Crown grant for such land, the said persons have confirmed such lease: (2) That the terms of such lease were fair and equitable to the natives at the time when the lease -was granted : (8) That the rents and conditions have been duly paid and performed : may confirm such lease for the term for- which it has been made, notwithstanding anything contained in section 11 of this Act. The power of confirmation hereby granted shall not extend to any lease which may have been ' granted since the passing of the Confiscated Lands Inquiry and Maori Prisoners' Trials Act, 1879." Clause 20 empowers the Commissioner • to close public "houses of any person holding a public house license, if interfering^ with the business of his commission; II the order to close be not obeyed, the offender may be summoned before the Commissioner, and fined not less than £10 nor more than £50.