WEST COAST RESERVES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 10 May 1912, Page 7

WEST COAST RESERVES.

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY

The Commission (Dr McArthur, S.M., AVellington, and Mr W. Kerr, S.M. ? Wanganui) appointed to enquire into matters connected with leases under "The West Coast Reserves Act, 1881," met at 2 o'clock at the Courthouse, Hawera, to-day.

As stated in the Government Gazette of April 11, the Commission is to enquire:

(1). On what terms and conditions the said lessees ov any of them should be permitted to surrender their present leases and obtain riew leases in lieu thereof under section 8 of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1892----(2) Whether any of the said lessee.? have been misled by any act of the Public Trustee or any other officer of the Public Trust Department, or the form of the lease issued, or the regulations made under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act. 1881. or its amendments, into believing, that there was no limit to the amount of compensation to which they were entitled under their leases, and in consequence of sjich belief made on their leaseholds or purchased from other lessees

imorovements in excess of five pounds (£5) per acre. (3) What aveas of land now leased under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act. 1881. and its amendments, may hereafter be required by the nation ; and, having regard to their Native owners for their use and, orcn- . particular interests therein and their liuhvMunl fittiws for profitably using such lands, wliinh of the said leases if any, should be allowed to remain vnrler tne nresent tenure in order that snnh Native owners may, on the exniration of snch leases. Vomnet^ lor the Dossession, of the lands held under them.

(4) What provision should be made to enable such Native owners to get financial assistance from the Government to enable them to work their farms, should any of tt em become tenants of such leaseholds.