THE NATIVE LANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14208, 3 November 1909, Page 8

THE NATIVE LANDS.

ESTIMATE OF AREAS: [BT TELEGRAPH. — CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Tuesday. The following return, showing the approximate position of native lands in the North Island, as at September 30, was laid on the table of the House of Representatives to-day by the Native Minister : — The area of native lands held by Maoris as at December 21, 1908, is estimated by

the Native .Commission at 7,465,000 acres, less (a) areas since acquired by Crown purchase, 14,680 acres;' (b) areas since acquired by private purchasers, 28,495 acres; (c) areas already sold and included in error in the Commission's estimate, 20,000 acres, making a total of 63,175 acres, and leaving a balance as at September 30 of 7,401,825 acres. The area estimated to be profitably occupied totals . 3,407,098 acres, leaving an approximate balance of 3,994,727 acres. Of this balance the total available for settlement under the various Act®, etc., including Maori occupation, is stated as 2,288,249 acres. This leaves a balance of 1,706,487 acres not profitably utilised, and which is accounted for as, follows: —(1) Papatupu land, the titles to which have not been investigated or have been only particularly investigated, 490,752 acres; . ' (2) balance, subject to the Urewera District Native Reserves Act, 466,762 acres; (3) balance, subject to the Thermal Springs Act (estimated), 189,692 acres; (4) balance not dealt with, 559,181 acres, making a total of 1,706,487. It is stated that there is a large area under profitable occupation leased to Europeans, either by informal lease or on short terms, for grazing purposes. Reliable figures cannot be obtained, and, therefore, for the purposes of this return, these areas have been treated as not being profitably occupied. In the Taupo and inland Patea districts there is estimated to be an area of 550,000 acres, for the most part poor land, which cannot be profitably utilised for many years to come. The area now available for European settlement is given as 1,629.144 acres.