MR MACDONALD AT GISBORNE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 18 May 1912, Page 5

MR MACDONALD AT GISBORNE.

BY TELEGRAPH—PEESS <i.SSOCIi TIOK,

GISBORNE, May 17. Mr W. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Public Works, and Native Affairs, was, interviewed by his constituents at Te Karaka last evening. There was a large and enthusiastic gathering. Speeches were delivered by Sir James Carroll, the Mayor of Gisborne, and others. Mr Mac Donald was presented with an illuminated address. Accompanied by Sir James Carroll the luinister left for VVairoa this morning, opening the Nuhaka bridge en route. The Native Minister, in the course of an interview, announced that last year's operations in connection with the transactions regarding alienation of native land showed that great progress was being made in the quantity of land dealt with. By way of lease 336,000 acres had been dealt with, and by way of sale 310,867 acres. Purchases by the Crown amounted to 91,744 acres. Probably 30,000 acres were purchased by the Crown Lanas Department, and a further 100,000 acres, under negotiation at March 31, are now practically completed, making the total for the year approximately 800,000 acres. Mr MacDonald holds that the surplus lands can be dealt with more on the lines of Crown lands than is being done under existing conditions. He is thoroughly investigating the working of the Native Department and considers the Land Courts should complete their work about three years from now.