NATIVE LANDS COMMISSION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14386, 31 May 1907, Page 4

NATIVE LANDS COMMISSION.

MAORI LAND ADMINISTRATION. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 30. The Native Lands Commission, sitting at Te Kuiti, received a document signed by, the owners of various blocks within Rohipotae, setting out that vnough the Maori Land Board had done good work, its usefulness had been limited by defects in the Act and the lack of funds for its successful working. They proposed the administration of Maori lands by a Board composed of men having special knowledge of land settlement ; that the president should re? side in the district; that practical farmers should bo appointed as instructors and paid by the State; that loans should bo granted to Natives for working their land, and where the Native proved incapable the Board might take and lease his land; that land in suitable areas should bo sot apa/rt for farming by the owners, and ako reserves for minors; that surplus land should be leased or sold by auction; that sales of land to the Crown in this district should be discontinued, and all restrictions removed from the lands of capable Natives. The Chief Justice expressed his agreement with the majority of -ho proposals, but took exception to the proposal to remove all restrictions in the case of capable Natives. He foresaw great difficulty in declaring the Maori to be capable, and the system would be open to abuse. He thought the proposal for putting all lands-nip for sale or lease by auction most desirable. One of tho owners stated that the whole of the' 59,000 acres at Mokau leased to Mr Joshua Jones were practically idle. He suggested that tho Government should take the land over, and see that improvements were made. The Chief Justice said that if the rent was not paid according to the lease the owners had the power of re-entry, but he was informed that the lease could not be found.

THE UREWERA COUNTRY. [Per Pbess Association.] WELLINGTON, May 30. During tho session of 1896 an Act was passed to make provision as to the ownership and local government of Native lands in tho Urewera district, aggregating about three-quarters of a million acres. In accordance with the provisions of the Statute, a Commission of two Europeans and five members of the Tuhoe tribe was appointed to divide the Urewera district into

blocks and, with duo regard to Native customs and usages, investigate the ownership of each block, adopting as far as possible existing boundaries. The Commission spent a considerable period in carrying out its duties. Ordei-s were made declaring the names of the owners of each block, grouping families together, but specifying the name of each member of tho family, and tho relative share of tho block to which each family was entitled. A very large number of appeals were lodged against the divisions of the Commission. Authority was given to the Native Minister under tho Act to direct an expert inquiry into the oases with respect to which appeals were made, and, in accordance with the power thus conferred upon him, he appointed Captain Mair, of the Nativo Department, Mr Paratene Ngata (father of Mr A. T. Ngata, M.H.R.) and Mi- Barclay, Maori interpreter in the House of Representatives, a Commission to deal with the appeals. This Commission has now completed its labours and has forwarded its report to the Native Minister. The Hon J. Carroll states that titles to all the blocks in the Urewera Country have now been ascertained, and a committee of Natives lias been set up to deal with all questions affecting the reservo as a whole or affecting any portion of it. The committee has power to alienate any portion to tlie Crown either absolutely or for any lee.-er estate or by way of cession for mining purposes. Tho Governor may order the laying out of roads and landing purposes in the district, and authority is given to the Crown to take land for accommodation houses, camping grounds for stock and other purposes of public utility, the total area so taken not to exceed 400 acres. For many years there has been a belief that the Urewera Country is rich in minerals, and attemps have been made from time to time to induce the Maoris to allow the district to be prospected. The Natives, however, have set their faces against any invasion of their territory, but the Native Minister points out that, now that titles have been finally settled, the Crown will be able to move in the direction of getting a portion of the area ceded for mining purposes.