NATIVE COMMISSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 24 May 1934, Page 2

NATIVE COMMISSION

ROTORUA HEARING ENDS. EXPRESSION OF DISSATISFACTION Pei' Press Association. ROTORUA, May 23. The Rotorua sittings of the Native Affairs Commission concluded to-day after a session of 11 days. Tho_ Commission will sit at Gisborne on Wednesday, May 30, proceeding from Rotorua to Gisborne by way of the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast, where the native development schemes will be inspected. To-day’s sittings were occupied mainly with the evidence of natives concerning individual grievances and in the recall of various witnesses in regard to points already mentioned. In evidence, Albert George Holland, retired Judge of the Native Land Court, of Rotorua, made a statement with regard to the purchase of the lies property. He said that, in view of the statement made by Mr Quilliam that the transaction was a “crooked deal,” he desired to make a statement regarding his own part in the transaction. He considered Mr Quilliam’s statement threw an imputation on all concerned in the deal. Witness said the Wairakei Land Board, which bought the property, acted throughout on the recommendations of its supervisor, Wright, who inspected the property and valued it at £6OOO. Witness’s only part was to submit the transaction to the Minister with Wright’s valuation. The board knew nothing about farming and had absolute confidence in Wright. The property eventually was bought for £6OOO. Mr Quilliam’s remark was the first indication witness had that it was regarded as a “crooked deal.” To Mr Quilliam witness said that Wright took an option for £SOOO without telling witness. lies asked more than £SOOO, although the option was then in existence.

The chairman said the Commission was very dissatisfied with the matter and intended to probe it thoroughly. Thomas Jackson, Mayor of Rotorua, said that there was no doubt that the land scheme had materially relieved native unemployment in the borough. He considered the schemes should be a success, always provided there was adequate supervision. He had no doubt whatever from his own experience that the Rotorua pumice land could be profitably farmed by the right methods. Hugh McPherson, district constable at Te Whaiti, and at one time a member of the Arawa Trust Board, said he considered that the purchase of the Maketu property was made at too high a figure. He expressed this view to the board, but was disregarded.

Mr Quilliam said the Government valuation of the Maketu property was £lO per acre and the board paid £27 10s per acre for 337 acres of freehold land.

Witness also alleged that three men who had been elected to the Arawa Board in 1925 had not been allowed to take their seats by the then Native Minister. In 1933, a number of men were nominated, but the Native Minister refused their nominations and said that the sitting board would remain. No election, therefore, had been held. His Honour directed that a statement should lie prepared showing the liabilities and commitments of the board. AVit.ness claimed that the Arawa Board as at present constituted was too large and that the expense could be reduced materially by reducing the number from 15 to eight. A motion to this effect had been moved by witness, but was rejected. He said that a man named Hura Marino had made an applications to the board for assistance to send his son to a secondary school, but this had been refused on the ground that he lived outside the district. In spite of this, Bishop Bennett, who lived at Hastings, had made a similar application in regard to his son, and it had been granted. To Air Finlay witness admitted that liis complaints with the Arawa Trust elections were founded entirely on hearsay.