MOKAU LAND ENQUIRY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 14, 1 September 1911, Page 6

MOKAU LAND ENQUIRY.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 1. The Mokau Committee resinned this morning, when the examination of Air Bowler was continued. -Replying to Mr. Herries, witness said no laid been president of the Maori Land Board since April of last year. The first offer by Lewis for the block was £25,000, or such greater sum as may have been estimated by Government valuation. Application for Ordcrs-in-Council were signed by the solicitors for the natives and the solicitors lor Lewis. There was no desire expressed by the natives tiiat negotiations bo discontinued. The first intimation that the sale was to be to a company was at the last meeting, when shares to the value of £2500 were offered. An agreement between tiio company and the natives gave the president ol the Land Board power to out up and sell the land by public auction if the company did not subdivide and settle it witnin three years. The .purchase money was paid by a cheque for £25,000, signed by hindlay and Dalziell. Witness signed the transfer, but did not know if it had boon registered. Witness, as president of the Maori Land Board, signed a transfer to himself as trustee, this being done to ensure that the laud would be subdivided. To Air. Dive: Tne land was to ire cut up within three years, but the Board had power to extend the time if good reasons were shown. To Air Jennings: He bad heard that the company had a staff of surveyors at present on the block for the purpose of cutting it up and l oading it. Ho-examined by Air. Massey: Ho did not know that the present owners under the agreement had the right to retain mineral rights. £2500 north of shares' represented 250 fully paid-up shares. The Board thought £25,000 was sufficient consideration for the land without the shares. E. H. Hardy, surveyor, To Kuiti, examined by Mr. Alassey, said that in November, 1910, lie was approached by one of the native owners to assist in an application for partition. Later the natives asked him to look into the whole matter and advise them. At a private meeting ol owners at Alokau all present were opposed to the sale of the block. The Committee then adjourned till Tuesday.