NATIVE LANDS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4605, 4 October 1934, Page 5

NATIVE LANDS

PAST YEAR REVIEWED. The area of Native land available for alienation has been steadily diminished from year to year, states the report of the Native Land Courts, which was presented to the House of Representatives on Tuesday by the Minister of Native Affairs (the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata). The diminished area, combined with the conditions governing farming and pastoral industries during the past three years, have caused the dealings in Native lands both by way of sale and lease to tend to decrease each year. The area alienated to private persons during the year ended March 31, 1934, however, was only slightly less than during the preceding year, but there was a considerable falling off of purchases by the Crown, only 476 acres being disposed of in that way. During the year under review fees collected by Native Land Courts amounted to £3393, as against £3748 for the previous year. Maori Land Boards received in fees £1523, as against £1231 last year, while the commissions collected rose from £2618 last year to £3363, an increase of £745, making a total increase of £1037. During the year 41 acres of Native land were sold or revested, leaving a balance of 654,665 acres vested in Native Land Boards at the end of March. Funds held or invested by the boards increased by £45,738 during the year, £622,199 being held at the end of March. One hundred and forty-two sales, representing 4693 acres, were made during the year as against 4699 acres in 1933, and 215 leases, representing 27,076 acres, were arranged, as against leases representing 34,638 acres in 1933.