OWNERSHIP OF LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 11

OWNERSHIP OF LAND.

OTAGO MAORIS' CLAIM.

VALUABLE DUNEDIN BLOCK

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] DUNEDIN. Tuesday.

A petition is to bo made to the Government, by the descendants of the Otago Maori tribes for the recovery of a valuable block of land in Princes Street, Dunedin, purchased from the Maoris by the New Zealand Company in 1840, and now occupied by business premises and hotels. The block is on the eastern side of Princes Street, and is about 18 chains long and nearly a chain deep. It was originally intended that the land, which was on the old foreshore of (ho harbour, should be used as a Maori reserve, and it was granted to them for use as a landing place for their canoes. However, subsequent, activities of high Government officials lost the Maoris their ownership of the land. Shortly after losing tlio land the Maoris began a long series of petitions and protracted litigation for its recovery, but without success, and .1 further petition will be presented shortly to the Minister of Native Affairs by the descendants of the original owners.

A charter was granted the New Zealand Company on that where land was purchased froHMje Maoris, one-tenth should be set asioeior their use. Of the purchase concerned, the OTakau block, there still remains the promised reservation of 36,363 acres, or one-tenth of the land sold. This reservation was to have taken place after the surveys had been made.