IN HOT LAKES DISTRICT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15201, 15 January 1913, Page 8

IN HOT LAKES DISTRICT.

HON. W. H. HERRIES ON TOUfi, I NATIVE LAND QUESTION AGAIN//. I {PT TKLEGRArH.—OWN COERESPONgjj, I \\ ■ ■~. ■ Rotortja, Tuesday,; ,' | The Hon. W. 11. Hemes visited \ l I taha last night, when he was met by j*. > I tiers of the district and members of ''.the ''•'( Settlers' Association, who wished to Urc6 ' 1 the needs of the district. After conmlL'' I lating the Minister on his elevation to ' I Ministerial rank, Mr. Martin thanked him I for the good work in assisting settlers byhaving the express stopped at Ngongota],- / The question of native' lands was »« ' f erred to, which the speakers said waßa&W : troublesome problem in the district, sim they • advocated the Government purchas! ing native lands recently taken uplifoj speculation purposes. The difficulty as that the natives were willing to sell land j in too small blocks. The natives wanted ' I cash down, and many desirable settle "' were unable to find the cash. Prospective settlers would also have more confident "'- in purchasing from the Crown.

Mr. H. R. Ferry referred to th o sceiuz ■ reserve at Hamurana, and advocated thai it should be cut up into change paddock of 50 acres each. The present ones of 25 acres were too small. Another speaker declared that the seven-years' leases were no good because of the clause providin-r ' for termination at six months' notice. /fV" occupation of the land Mould benefit «, 9 "• country and prevent the spread of noxious weeds. .■'"''

Mr. Hemes, replying, said that the lift, ing of the reservation was the present in, tention of the Government. The question' of tenure was on© for legislation. Refer, ring to the native lands, he said if they could specify any particular blocks -which the.owners were wishing to sell/ he was willing to buy. He considered a, great 1 ad-' vance would be made under the legislation •of last session, and was desirous of brine, ing the Maori into closer touch with the ! pakeha. ; ' An adjournment was made to the Her. cantile House, where the Ministerial party was banqueted by the settlers of the dii trict. Settlers from all the outlying dij. tricts of Rotorua were well represented. VISIT TO MAMAKU. . j ______ . .. 'v.;{'. V.!;,'!,"' LEAVING ROTORUA TO-DAY., [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] •• ■;".'/■ Rotorua, Tuesday. The Hon. W. H. Hemes to-day' visited ' ! Mamaku, where he received local deputa- . tions/This evening the party was. entertained at a complimentary social iii Rotor*sn. * •

Mr. Herries leaves to-morrow by motor ■; for Morrinsville, where he will be entertained on Friday. ,