Commission Dissatisfied

Manawatu Times, Volume LIX, Issue 7472, 24 May 1934, Page 7

Commission Dissatisfied

Purchase of Property Fqr Native Development

ROTORUA SITTINGS END Per. Press Association. ROTORUA, Last Night. The Rotorua sittings of tho Native Affairs Commission concluded to-day after a session of 11 days. The commission will sit at Gisborne on Wednesday, May 30, proceeding from Rotorua to Gisborne by way of the of Plenty and the East Coast, where the native development schemes will be inspected. To-day’s sittings were'occupied mainly with tho 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 tho purchase of lies’ property. Ho said that, in view of the statement made by Mr. Quilliam that tho transaction was a “crooked deal,” he desired to make a statement regarding his own part in tho transaction. He considered Mr. Quilliam’s statement threw an imputation on all concerned in tho deal. Witness said tho 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. AVitness’ 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 AVright. 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 tho 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 tho borough, lie considered the schemes should be a success, always provided there was adequate supervision. Ho 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 AVhaiti, and at one time a member of the Arawa Trust Board, said lie considered that tho purchase of the Maketu property was made at too high a figure. Ho expressed this view to the board, but was disregarded. Mr. Quilliam said the Government valuation of tho Maketu property was £lO per acre and the board paid £27 10s per acre for 337 acres of freehold land. AVitness also alleged that three men who had been elected to tho 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 tho Native Minister refused their nominations and said that tho sitting board would remain. No election, therefore, had been held.

His Honour directed that a statement. should be prepared showing the liabilities and commitments of the board.

Witness 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 application to the board for assistance to send his son to a secondary school, but this had been refused on the ground that ho 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 Mr. Finlay witness admitted that his complaints with the Arawa Trust elections were founded entirely on hearsay.