NATIVES AND THE LAND.

Mataura Ensign, 13 March 1909, Page 3

NATIVES AND THE LAND.

TELEGRAPHIC,

MAIN TRUNK CONDITIONS. PER UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION. AUCKLAND, March 12. An interesting description of the conditions at present, affecting native land and especially tho timber-clad blocks in the middle of the North Island, bar. been obtained from Mr A. H. Vilu a member of the Wellington Education Board, who lias just reached Auckland alter a tour through the island, a number of the fncts having been given him in conversation with a well-known Maori chief, To Heulieu Takino. at Tokaanu. _ ''Sawniilling operations.'' said Mr Vile, "are being conducted vigorously ill the country "extending 011 both sides of tho Main Trunk line. Although the slump in the timber trade has resulted in one or two mills closing down, those belonging to tho larger companies aro turning out from 15,000 to 40,000 feet of timber a day. The natives appear to be doing very well out of the land itself, as they aro getting .£lO an aero 113 royalty 011 the bush. One family alono has 60,000 acres bearing totara,'matni, rimu and kahikatea, and one native in tho North Island is said to bo netting £3OOO a yenr in royalties on timber. They are paid 2s per 100 superficial feet for totara, lOd for matai, 8d for rimu and Gd for kahikatea. It is "expected that a company with very extensive capital will be floated shortly to take up a large block of land, it being understood that a considerable portion of the capital will lie subscribed in the Old Country. "Te Heulieu is very emphatic," Mr Vile continued, "about the natives receiving the same rights as Europeans. We aro going, lie said to mo. to make mi emphatic demand in April and if the Government does not give 11s what wo ask we will shoot tliom."