THE UREWERA LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13918, 27 November 1908, Page 5

THE UREWERA LANDS.

AN OFFER FROM RUA.

HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRES FOR v

SETTLEMENT.

[BT TELEGRAPH.—OIfV CORRESPONDENT.]

Gisborne, Thursday. Rita, the Maori "prophet," who is settled amongst a colony of natives in the heart of the Urewera Country, has thrown himself into the van of progress, and evinces a desire to open the country in that locality to- European settlement. He interviewed the Cook County Council yesterday respecting the further opening of the Maungapoiiatu Rotorua stock track to through traffic, and as a return for the expenditure borne by - the Council undertook to maintain a portion of the road. He waited upon the Minister for Native Affairs (the Hon. James Carroll) this morning, and offered 100,000 acras -of land (or purchase by the Government. , 1 a fair valuation. The land is owned by members of his following, and it is Rua's idea to obtain the money to clear off the liabilities find' incumbrances, survey charges, etc., for the purpose of clearing further areas, and to purchase stock. He also asked that a special sitting of the Native Land Court should be he'd at Maungapohatu, the site of his settlement, to consolidate the interests of the different blocks of land under his jurisdiction. He assured Mr. Carroll that ha would Milder the Government every assistance in opening up the country for settlement.

Mr. Carroll, who informed a Herald representative that RuaV proposals were quite reasonable and necessary, told the "prophet" that he would accept his offer for the sale of the land, and on his return to Wellington he would place the matter before the Department. As to the Court, it would be sent to Maungapohatu as soon as officials were available. Rua also asked for the Government assistance in the matter of providing loading facilities between Gis borne and Maungapohatu. and Waimana and the Bay of Plenty district. He stated that he had cleared 1400 acres of biiiih, and it was now down in grass.

Rua, who is followed about by several young Maori girls and a number ox patriarchs, attracts a good deal of curiosity in the town Be has a weakness for motoring, and is a frequent client of the owner of a motor 'bus.