NORTHERN LANDS LIBERATED.

Northern Advocate, 22 September 1910, Page 5

NORTHERN LANDS LIBERATED.

CROWN GRANTS TO 81,000 ACRE 1

AUCKLAND, Sept. 22

The Native Appellate Court, which has just concluded an important sitting at Kaitaia and Kaikohe, in the North of Auckland, the presiding judges being Chief Tudge Jackson Palmer and Judge Holland, dealt finally with the ascertainment of the native ownership of 81,367 acres f land held by natives under their c.istoms and usages, besides dealing with numerous partitions and other matters. As a result of the sitting Crown grants will be issued for the following blocks of land, the ownership of which was settled by the Court: Aaipara 6654 acres, Motatau No. 5 22,035 acres, Waikare 9437 acres, gatua 152 acres, Whakatere-Manawa-kaiaia 11,373 acres, Maungakawakavva 7470 acres, Mataraua 4880 acr-s, Kohatutaka 13,717 acres, Tuhuna 2140 acres, Kohewhata 2040 acres, Matanri No. 1 1034 acres, and Motukauanui 435 acres.

Most of these blocks lie along the route the North Auckland railway w'll run, and the Government have been anxious to have the titles of the blocks completed before the railway runs through. The effect of issuing Crown grants for these 81,000 odd acres of land will be that now the native ownership is ascertained, those who co ild not previously deal with it will not le hampered by the former disabilities, and will be in a position to deal with the land, subject to the restrictions concerning such dealings under the native land laws of the Dominion. The greater portion of this land is volcanic, the soil being of a nature similar to that in the districts surrounding Mt Eden and Mt. Albert. The 81.----000 acres are probably worth over £250,000.

TELEGRAMS.

(Press Association.)