NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13452, 31 May 1907, Page 5

NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

UREWERA APPEAL CASES. A DISTRICT RICH IN MINERALS. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington*, Thursday. The Commission, consisting of Captain Mair, of the Native Department, Mr. Barclay, interpreter in the House of Representatives, and Paratene Ngata, which was appointed to deal with the numerous appeals lodged against the decisions of the Urewera Native Land Commission, have completed their labours, and have forwarded their report to the Native Minister. * The Appeal Commission has, it is stated, done its work thoroughly. The titles to about three-quarters of a million acres have been finally ascertained, and committee of natives has been set up to deal with all questions affecting the blocks. Power is given to the native committee to alienate any portion of the district to His Majesty, or by way of cession for mining purposes. Mr. Carroll, the Native Minister, states that the titles to all blocks in the Urerewa Country have now been ascertained, and a committee of natives has been set up to deal with all questions affecting the reserve as a whole, or affecting any portion of it. The committee has power to alienate any portion to the Crown. The Govenor may order the laying out of roads, and authority is given to the Crown to take land for accommodation houses, camping grounds for stocky and other purposes of public utility, the total areas so taken not to exceed 400 acres. For many years tnere has been a belief that the Urewera Country is rich in minerals, and attempts have been made from time to time to induce the Maoris to allow the district to be, prospected. The natives, however, have set their faces against any invasion of their territory, but the Native Ministec_points out that now the titles have been finally settled, the Crown will be able to move in the direction of getting portions of the area needed for mining. •