EAST COAST LANDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 108, 6 April 1934, Page 10

EAST COAST LANDS.

NEW COMMISSIONER APPOINTED WELLINGTON, April G. The appointment of Mr J. S. Jessep as East Coast Commissioner in succession to Judge Jones is announced in the Gazette. He will continue to hold his present position as a member of the Unemployment Board, of which he is deputy-chairman. His new appointment dates from April 1. Mr Jessep is very familiar with the East Coast and has an intimate knowledge of the Native trust lands in that district. He is also keenly interested in the work of tire Maori people. The appointment has been made under Part IV of the Native Purposes Act 1931. This Act, together with the’ Native Land A.ct, of the same year, was a consolidation of the existing Native land laws. East Coast Commissioners have been appointed since about 1896. Judge Jones. Chief Judge of the Native Land Court, was appointed on April 1 of last year in succession to the late Judge Raw son who had held the position since about 1924. On the resignation of Judge Jones the Governor-General, on the recommendation of Cabinet, decided to appoint Mr Jessep East Coast Commissioner. .. . For the purpose of administering and controlling certain lands held upon trust for Native owners in the East Coast district the Governor-Gen-'eral may from time to time appoint a Commissioner. All salaries and expenses incurred are a charge on the lands vested in the Commissioner. The Commissioner may enter into contracts and execute deeds, and may sue and he sued in the name of the East Coast Commissioner, but is not personally liable in damages for any act done or committed by him in good faith The Commissioner has wide powers.