NATIVE AFFAIRS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16213, 25 August 1923, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS

UNDER-SECRETARY'S REPORT

The annual report of the Under-Secre-tary to the Native Department, laid on the table of the House of Representatives, contains a number of points -of general interest. The accumulated funds of the Maori Land Boards, vested with the Native Trustee, now amount t0'£463,398 2s 4d. Some £70,000 of this had been advanced ti;> natives during the year for the purpose; of facilitating the improvement of their lands. The total area of lands now vested in the boards is 694,315 acres.

The Native Land Purchase Board, on behalf of the Crown, purchased 51,523 acres of native land. The totai area of land purchased since 1910 is 1,298,723 acres, at a cost of £3,129,370. A calculation based on figures given in previous reports, and the figures of sales of native land to the i Crown and to individuals, shows' that a total area of 4,380,916 acres remains in the hands of Maoris of the North Island. The Urewera. and other consolidation matters are progressing steadily. Some portions of tho schemes have been completed and only await final orders, while the Urewera. Commissioners report they have progressed as far as the position of tho surveys permit. Tho-Nativo Land Court sittings during the year totalled 112, while eight Native Appellate Court sittings were held. The Appellate Courti dealing with 87 appeals, 37 of which were dismissed or withdrawn. Seven Native Land Court decisions were varied, (en affirmed, pis annulled, and seven referred back to tho Native Land Court.