AMONG THE MAORIS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIII, Issue 18, 18 May 1912, Page 3

AMONG THE MAORIS.

HON. .MACDONALD ON TOUR

CFer Press Association.)

Gisborne, Mav 17

The Hon. Mr MacDonald, Ministei for Public Works and Native Affairs, was entertained by his constituents at Te Karaka last evening. There was a large and enthusiastic gathering present. Speeches were delivered by Sir James Carroll, the Mayor of Gisborne, and others. Mr MacDonald was presented with an illuminated address.

Accompanied by Sir James Carroll, the .Minister left for Wairoa this morning to take part in the opening of the Nuhaka bridge. The Native Minister, in the course of an interview, announced that last year's operations in connection with transactions and alienations of native land showed great progress, tfce figures being: Lands dealt with by way of lease, 336,000 acres; dealt with by way of sale, 319,867 acres; purchased by the Crown, 91,7-14 acres. Probably 30,000 acres were purchased by the Crown Lands Department, and a further 100,000 acres, the sale of which was under negotiation on March 31, have now been practically bought, making a total lor the year of approximately 800,000 acres.

Mr MacDonald holds that surplus lands can lie dealt with more on th< lines of Crown lands than is being done under existing conditions. H< is thoroughly investigating the working of the Native Department, am considers that the land courts shouh complete their work about three yean from now.