MOKAU LAND INQUIRY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 19, 7 September 1911, Page 6

MOKAU LAND INQUIRY.

(Per Press Association.) Wellington, September 7. The Mokau Committee resumed today. Frank Rattenbury, storekeeper at Tongaporutu, said his wife and other relatives were interested in the Mokau block. Witness was present at each mooting of owners. At the second meeting, at which about 150 owners were present, nearly all were opposed to the sale to Lewis. They instructed Mr Hardy to that effect, and paid his expenses to Auckland to investigate, but they had not heard from Hardy since, until the payment of the money for the block. Witness and others were very much dissatisfied with Hardy’s conduct. To Sir James Carroll: Some of the owners objected to the sale on the ground that the lease was not valid. Witness knew four of the owners who had not yet been paid. A section of the owners still opposed the sale even after Hardy being unsuccessful in his mission to raise money to contest the leases. The Te Kuiti owners wanted to sell, but the Mokau natives objected. The greater part of the block was worth 25s to 80s per acre. To Oro Waitahi, the next witness, said several others, after being advised to sell, refused to do so, and signed a document stating that they intended to hold the land, but would hand over for sale 800 acres to clear off the costs of action, paying agents and the liabilities on the block. Witness throughout refused to sign an l agreement to sell the whole block, j Witness was one of the signatories to the original lease of the block to Jones. Regarding the sale witness thought if he objected to the sale he could have his area ' cut out, and could keep it himself. Mr Hardy appeared for witness at the sale negotiations, with written instructions to oppose the sale. When the representatives came back from Te Kuiti they placed money before owners, and told them the land had been sold, and they should accept the money, as they might not get it again. They were very angry at the agent’s action. He would not have sold no matter what price was offered. To Mr Jennings: He was always adverse to the disposal of the Mokau land. Hermann Lewis, examined by Mr Massey, said his first dealing with Mokau lands was in October, 1907. He bough the lease at a low interest from Flowers’ executors in 1908 for £l-1,000. Ho sold to Mason Chambers for £25,000 and an eighth interest. The natives were anxious to sell the freehold to him for £15,000. They later offered it to the Government for £21,500. He thought Mr Skerrett applied for an Order-in-Council on behalf of the natives. He paid the natives £25,000 and £2500 worth of shares for the freehold. He sold some to Mason Chambers for £71,000 cash and 4000 fully paid shares. He retained 7000 acres of the property. The Committee adjourned till 'Tuesday.