NATIVE LAND PURCHASES IN THE MIDDLE ISLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1449, 30 August 1879, Page 5

NATIVE LAND PURCHASES IN THE MIDDLE ISLAND.

Auckland, August 22nd.

Since Parliament has dissolved, the Koyal Commission of inquiry into Middle Island Native land purchases have resumed their sittings. Messrs Nairn and Thomas H. Smith have come on to Auckland to continue their inquiries. The reason for going to Auckland is the fact that tha Civil Commissioner, Mr H. T. Kemp, was the Government land-purchase agent who completed the purchase ef a largo portion of the South Island. Kemp has been examined at some length upon various facts connected with the extinguishment of tribal title. He was asked to give his opinion respecting the effect of certain clauses in the deed of aale respecting certain reserves. Mr Kemp's opinion was that when the Maoris made a ceesion of the land to the Crown through him, over and above their settlements and cultivation, they were to receive ample reserves for their present and future wanti. He believed thai a Eale of the land would not have been made if the Maoris had not been satisfied that all promises expressed and implied would have been fully and liberally given effect to. It was believed at the time of sale that apart from the moaey payment then made, the reserves then agreed to be made would, aa civilisation aud cultivation advanced in the South Island, so advance in value that a very considerable income from them would euable the Maoris to live in comparative comfort from the rents the reserves would yield. It was cm these considerations that the Maoris agreed to dispose of the land at the time they did. Capta J. L. Symonds, who completed the purchase o the Otago block, and Judge Fenton are like to be examined before the CommWon ltay Auckland.