MANAKAU LAND CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16331, 11 September 1916, Page 9

MANAKAU LAND CASE.

AMICABLE SETTLEMENT. ALL ALLEGATIONS WITHDRAWN. The Native Land Court met at Kawakawa on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, for the purpose of inquiry into allegations set out in a petition recently presented to Parliament by certain native owners' of the Manakau Block, Herekino. As a result of investigations made by tho Native Affairs Committee, a clauso was inserted in the Washing-up Bill to provide for a special inquiry. Mr. E. C. Blomfield appeared for Messrs. G. S. Dunlop and A. G. Quartley, the original purchasers of tho block, and also watched proceedings on behalf of tho present owners. Mr. Vernon H. Reed represented the petitioning owners. Mr. Tau Henare, M.P., assisted in the proceedings, which were presided over by judge Wilson. A friendly settlement was arrived at, confirming the original proposal to return 65 acres of the land to tho petitioners, the natives on their part withdrawing all complaints against tho Tokerau Maori Land Board, the partitioning court, and also against Messrs. Dunlop and Quartley. In tho course of the inquiry a letter was produced from Mr. j. A. Voting, MP., chairman of the Native Affairs Committee, entirely exonerating Mr. Quartley from any suggestion of improper or illegal conduct in respect of tho matter to which tho inquiry referred.