UNLOCKING NATIVE LANDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2950, 28 September 1910, Page 52

UNLOCKING NATIVE LANDS.

FURTHER TITLES SETTLED. CFeojJ Ora Own Corhesi'On-dk>-7. AUCKLAND. September 26 The Star states that the Native Appellate Court, which has just concluded xan important sitting at Kaitaia and Kaikohe in the North of Auckland, the presiding judges being Chief Judge Jack eon Palmer and Judge Holland, dealt finally with the ascertainment ol the. Native ownership of 81.367 acres of land held by Natives under their customs and usage*. besides dealing with numerous partitions and other matters As a result of the sitting. Crown grants will lie issued for the following blocks of land - , the ownership of which was settled by the court : —Ahipara. 6654 acres; Motatau No. 5, 22.035 acres; Waikare._ 9437 acres; Waerengatua. 152 acres; Whakatere Narawakaia. 11.373 acres; Mauirjrakawakawa. 7470 acres; Mataraua. 4880 acres; Kohatutaka, 13,717 acres; Tuhuna, 2140 acres; Kohewhata, 2040 acres: Matauri No. 1, 1034 acres; and Motukauamii, 435 acres. Most of these blocks lie along the route of the North Auckland railway, ;uid the CiuvucrouiiXLi. liha been anxious to

have the titles of the blocks completed before the. railway rims through. Tho effect of issuing Crown grants for these 81.000 odd acre.-, of land will be that, now the Native ownership is ascertained, it will not be hampered by the former disabilities, and the owners will be m a position to deal with the land subject to the restrictions concerning such dealings under the Native land laws of the Dominion. The 81,000 acres are probably worth over £250.000.