SALE OF ROTORUA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22431, 29 May 1936, Page 12

SALE OF ROTORUA

MAOEIS' GEIEVANCES REPORT OF INQUIRY COMPENSATION FAVOURED CASH PAYMENT OF £7155 [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday Tho report of the inquiry by the Native Land Court into petitions by natives praying for relief in respect of the administration and subsequent purchase by the Crown of the PukoroaOruawhata block, forming the town of Rotorua, was tabled in the House of Representatives to-day. Tho first petition, dated 1928, alleged that tho native owners of the Pukeroa-Oruawhata block were entitled to bath fees received by the Crown in respect of the reserves for thermal purposes at Rotorua on the ground that tlie land had not been paid for, that £l7-,868 back rent duo in respect of the township had not been accounted for, that the consideration of £8250 mentioned in tho deeds of purchase for the Rotorua township was quite inadequate, and that the relative interests of tho owners had never been validly defined. I At the inquiry held by the Court in March and April, 1930, it was admitted on behalf of tho petitioners that the thermal reserves were a gift by tho natives to the Crown for the public benefit. Tho petitioners therefore made no further claim to the bath fees. The second petition, which was made in 1934, alleged that tho purchase of tho town by tho Crown was a breach of trust, and that tho sale should, bo declared null and void, and tho land revested in the native owners; or alternatively, that compensating damages should bo paid to tho owners. The petition incidentally referred to tho income received ftom tho baths to show that it totalled more than the sum paid for tho acquisition of tho township. It also questioned tho validity of the relative interests. The Court finds that the allegations that certain rents could with reasonable diligence have beon collected on behalf of the natives, and that tho township was purchased at less than its real value, aro to a certain extent proved. The inquiry was hold before the Chief Judge, and his recommendations aro contained in the report. Shortly summed up, they are that the grievances of tho petitioners, for which they have no legal redress, might fairly be met and compensated for bv a cash payment of £7155, being £3155 in respect of the leases and £4OOO in respect of the purchase. The report ivas referred to the Native Affairs Committee of the House.