The West Coast Lessees.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 111, 26 July 1895, Page 2

The West Coast Lessees.

The following is the petition for signature :

To the Honorable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives of New Zealand iu Parliament assembled. The humble petition of the undersigned humbly sheweth — 1 That your petitioners live and are leaseholders in the district covered by the " West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1892." 2. That the administration of the said Act has been satisfactory to neither the tenant nor the native owner. 3. That all charges under the said Act are exorbitant, and are levied to the detriment of any action under the Act, and that by demanding the insur. ance of all buildings in his name the security is removed from financial action on part of tenant. 4. That the Act, as administered, has not fulfilled the intention of the Legislature to assist the straggling settler, to legalize improper tenures, neither has it improved the condition of the natives. 5. That great hardships and unnecessary expenses have been imposed on tenants and natives by the present interpretation of the Act. 6. That under cover of the term " in the interests of the beneficiaries under the trust," the Public Trustee bars settlement, . refuses to improve the. native estate, and imposes rents on lands which are totally inadequate to maintain such amounts.

7. That your petitioners are aware that by securing for the native owner the improvements, over £5 an acre, the industrious settler is debarred from improving his holding, settlement is obstructed, and the Liberal programme is set aside. 8. That your petitioners are satisfied that a complication of tenures is unnecessary, and considers the Land Board is the only proper body to administer this estate under.the "Land Act, 1892." 9. That your petitioners consider that by working the " Advances to Settlers Act, 1894." in conjunction with the "West Coast Settlement Reserves Act 1892," the Government can acquire the whole of the native title to these lands, and can, without expense or cost, bring them under the laws of the colony. 10. That these lands being acquired, the amounts paid can be funded in the name of the native owner, who will then have a legitimate income or cash to work his reserves, and the expensive paraphernalia of the Trust Office will be obviated for his benefit. Your petitioners therefore humbly pray your Honorable House to cause such legislation as shall place these lands under the comman laws of the colony, and will thereby remove the disadvantages under which they labor. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c.