THE MOKAU INQUIRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 147683, 31 August 1911, Page 6

THE MOKAU INQUIRY.

COMMITTEE RESUMES WORK.

NATIVES AND LITIGATION. [B? TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Wednesday. The Mokau inquiry was resumed to-day, Mr. W. D. S. Macdonald being the only member of the committee absent. Tuiti MacDonnell, Native Land Court agent, said the first business in the Mokau cats© was before the Native Land Court at To Kuiti in November of last year, when he acted for some of the native owners, who were asking for permission to deal with Block H, containing 15.000 acres. The application was dismissed. They later saw the Commission's report in regard to tho invalidity of Jones's leases, and it was decided to consult Mr. Bell, who said that the leases of all the other blocks but Block H were unassailable. On behalf of his clients, he objected to the sale of the block to Lewis, one owner objecting to sell at all, and others contending that the price was not high enough, as eimilar lands in the neighbourhood had realised £2 per acre. The Board decided against them, and they again consulted Mr. Bell, who asked for £100 for past services, and £800 to provide a fighting -fund. He said that if the £800 was not forthcoming that would be the end of their case. At the next meeting of owners the president of tho Land Board (Mr. Skeirett) appeared, and pointed out to the natives the advantage of selling, and thus saving litigation, although he did not press this point, as they did not have any funds. The committee did not send for Mr. Bell. They thought they could defeat the proposal, even without "him. As the meeting progressed, some "of witness's clients showed signs of wavering and going over to the other side. During the next fortnight the Mokau Company ' agreed to pay the native owners £25,000 and £2500 worth of shares. It ,was on account of the' shares giving the natives still an interest in the block that they gave way and; agreed to sell. Witness accordingly gave consent on behalf of his clients. At the next meeting of the Land Board the natives agreed to give 10 per cent, of the purchase money towards defraying legal and other costs, but although most of them had been paid by the company, the money for costs had not yet been forthcoming. * The president of the Land Board was at present holding about £1300 of . this money in trust. Examined by Mr. Massey, witness 'said the natives were not compelled to sell to Lewis or go to litigation, but could, as a third course, have approached the Government with a view to the Government taking over the land. Mr. Bell's suggestion of , a fighting fund was to provide for the costs of the other side if the natives failed in the case. Witness knew of no other instance where an Order-in-Council was issued to enable the sale of native lands larger in area than was provided for by the Act of 1909. Witness admitted telling Mr. Massey a few days ago that in his opinion the transaction was a gigantic swindle. , -. ; :

, Replying' to the Hon. A. T. Ngata, witness said he understood that unless they found the.money, Mr. Bell could not attend the Court, as Mr. Bell said he was not a popgun, and it would take more than 5s to load him. Except the president of the Land Board witness had no communication during the negotiations with any Government official. Witness had opposed Mr. Parata in 1905 as an Independent Oppositionist. '

Replying to Mr. ' Dive, witness said he was responsible for most of the adjournments of the Court, as he wished to secure funds to fight, for his-clients. Witness, when he mentioned the affair as a gigantic swindle, meant to convey that it was street opinion. In reply to Mr. Hemes, witness said the natives accepted the company's offer as the best solution of a bad job. Witness represented the majority of the owners of the whole block. The Committee a'djourned until to-mor-row. • , 0 ,