WEST COAST RESERVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8106, 8 October 1904, Page 2

WEST COAST RESERVES.

THE PUBLIC TRUSTEE'S REPORT.

The Public Trustee states that during Jarnuary last he paid a visit to the reserves, a large area of which is now held under perpetual lease. Some of the unleased parts are at present inaccessible, but when circumstances are favorable the balance not required for use by natives will be from time to time submitted for settlement. The total area of the reserves is about 188,000 acres; of this, 148,712 acres, being nearly four-fifths of the total, is leased or held under occupation license by natives. The totril rents amount to £25,796. After paying rates, land tax, office commission,, and other charges there remained t& payment to the natives interested £22,703,

The system of occupation licenses was introduced to encqurage the natives to abandon the communism of the kaingas. A. native who baa his own plot of ground will be more likely to cultivate it, fence it, and use it to the best advantage than if the place was the common property of me hapu. When a grant contains more land than is needed for the support of the natives interested in it, the portion not so required is submitted to competition under perpetual lease, with re-valuation at periods of twenty-one years for the purpose of fixing the ground rent, the tenant's improvements being protected. If the natives occupying the remainder desire it, the whole or a part of the unleased land is given to individuals, partners, or families who want a port'on for their exclusive occupation. As to the cost "of managing the ' reserves, the Public Trustee shows that his office only made a nominal profit of £21 out of the work — a very small amount considering the nature of the work involved.

Coming directly to the subject of the recent debates in the House, the Public Trustee remarks: — "An agitation is being started, by 'the lessees of these reserves to get the freehold of the land comprised in their leases, lhe lessees will argue that the perpetual lease dispossesses the natives permanently, and if the amount representing the value-, ok the land be invested for them, a, greater income than at present received will be [assured to them for all time, so that they. interests will be safeguarded. The natives, however, place a higher value on mana than on mere income, and to do as the lessees ask would be regarded as a gross breach of faith by them. They have been assured in the most solemn manner that these reserves would be tneir and their children's heritage for ever. To violate these promises would, I fear, have a disastrous effect on the native mind. The agitation, should, therefore be discouraged. ,,