THE TAPU HOMESTEAD SETTLERS.
ACTIONS AGAINST THE GOVERN MENT. The grievances under which the homestead settlers at Tapu Creek, near the Thames, have so long laboured are soon to be the subject of an action in the Compensation Court. It appears that these settlers took up land in 1879, which had been duly proclaimed by the Governor as open for selection under the homestead clauses of the Land Act, 1877. The settlers entered upon the land and improved it, devoting years of labour in making comfortable homes in what had hitherto been a wilderness. It turned out, however, that the Governor had no power to proclaim the land at all, as the land was goldfields land, and subject to the laws relating to mining. Within the last year the settlers have been much harassed by miners entering upon their lands by virtue of mining licenses cutting down trees, destroying crops, fences, &c.—and one of the settlers, Mr. Bennett, was summoned to the Warden's Court at the Thames, and fined heavily, for resisting a miner who was trespassing upon his land, and carrying off timber. The Waste Lands Board has recommeaded the Governor to issue Crown grants to the settlers, but the Governor has no power to do this. Altogether, matters are decidedly mixed. The settlers have fulfilled all the conditions under which they took up the land and are clearly entitled to a Crown grant. Mr. Bennett, the settler referred to, was lately deprived of an opportunity of disposing of his section for £1500, because he was unable to give a title. The settlers have now placed the matter in the hands of Mr. W. J. Napier, and an action is being commenced against the Government for £1500 compensation. Mr. Bennett is the plaintiff in this action. Other actions will be proceeded with on behalf of the other settlers, but it is considered the decision in the first case will govern the others. It will be interesting to know who is responsible for the original error in proclaiming the land open for selection. ■
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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8999, 12 March 1888, Page 5
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343THE TAPU HOMESTEAD SETTLERS. New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8999, 12 March 1888, Page 5
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