RESERVES-TE AROHA TOWNSHIP.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 182, 11 December 1886, Page 2

RESERVES-TE AROHA TOWNSHIP.

On Tuesday last at 10 30. a.m., Mr Warden Stratford met by appointment at the Court House. The following 1 i native owners interested in certain lands hitherto reserved at Te Aroha, Rewi Mokena, Eraa Rehipi, Unnapia Mukena, Eta Mokena, Hare Rcnata, Mr and Mrs Lipsey were also present as trustees for their daughter Annie. Akuhafa Mokena and Te Heinga Ta^aha al&o interested, were absent, but it was stated on their behalf that they would consent to whatever those present agreed to. Mr W. G. Nicholls acted as native interpreter on the occasion, and Mr 0. J. JL)earle native agent was also present. Mr Stratford having stated the reasons fcr calling them together to meet him, viz., to consult them with respect to some land adjoining the Hot Springs Domain ; and to learn their wishes respecting it, as, even if he had power to do so, he had no desire to act in any way contrary to their interests. Before proceeding to the business of the meeting, 1 & desired to remind them that thoir could be no doubt that it was the valuable hot springs that had made Te Aroha so important a place, and everything done to increase settlement thero would be i\ direct benefit to the native owners. It appeared to be the desire of the late Warden Kenrick to form a sort of wall as it were outside and adjoining the domain, so that if any springs wqye found in the adjoining land they shiotild! (not be lost to' the Doiuarnv

The first land ho wished to conic to an understanding about was a piece of about one acie in extern, which lay at the luck of the Hot Spjings Hotel, towards the lop bound.uy of tao domain, and in which 'tvas believed hot spi ings existed. He hoped they would agree with him that it was thoir duty as well as his, to assist i^ far as possible the usefulness of the Domain and spthigs, an I try to prevent any haini coming thereto. Several parties had applied to be put in possession of the land referred to. His own opinion was that the Domain Board ought have the option of taking it up at the ordinary rental payable for residence sites, viz., £1 per quarter aero ; should they not do so by some fixed date, it should then be thrown open for the public to apply for it in the usual way. Several of the natives having spoken, Mr G. Lipsey said he thought the simplest way would be to throw this land into the goldfield, subject to certain restrictions, so that those taking it up would be debarred fiom borinir in any way which could effect the spring*!. As a member of the Domain Board he expressed the opinion that the Board would be anxious to take np the land as an addition to the present reserve. After further discussing the matter, all those present signed the following document which the Wa-iden drew up. We the owneis of tho sections on the northern boundary of the Hot Springs Domain having been consulted by Mr Warden Stratford as to whether these sections should be reserved altogether from occupation, or leased, and having heard his views, viz. : That it should in the first place be offered to the DoBoard, and in the event of its refusel be opened to all applicants for residence purposes, do now decide to leave the matter to the Wardens judgment and discretion, and what he does we will abide by." The Warden stated his intention was to give the Domain Board the option of takinir up the land till January 15th, in the event of their not doing so it would be thrown open for applications in the ordinary way, and in the event of more than one application being made, be balloted for. Church of England Reserve. — Considerable discussion next took place relative to an adjoining piece of land styled the CLurch of England leserve, of about one acre in extent, Morgantown, the Church ef England haw'ng been lately erected on another leserve in • Lips?} town. The Warden said the land . had been reserved for the purpose name 1 but had not been built upon orotheiwiso , made use of. for his part he could j not see if the Chnrch of England wanted I all this land in addition to the reserve upon which their Chinch had been lately erected, why they shoul not pay a rental for it the saice as other people had to do ; and he piesumed the owners vouid not then object to their still retaining it. Ultimately the owners agreed as in the last case, to leave the matter in the hands of the Warden to act for them, be stating it was his intention to first offer it to tne Ci'urch of England if they were prepared to pay the ordinary rental for it ; in the event of their declining, he should then give the Domain Board the option of taking it up, as in the last case ; otherwise it would be thrown open fcr occupation. Hospital Reserve. — The native owneis expressed a wish that the portion of land known as the Hospital reserve, also adjoining top domain at the icar of the Hot Springs Hotel be likewise dealt with, and urged that although the late Mokena Hou may have expressed the wish that ifc be set apart for Hospital purposes, he was only part owner amongst seveial. He did not, however, approve of the site as being a good one for a hospital, and as soon as the residents had obtained local self-government he thought they ought to g've attention to the matter, and select another site, better suited for the purpose required. Mr Dearie on behalt of the natives said Mokena Hou was only one out ot nine interested, and he could not possibly have absolutely granted the land foi sncli a purpose. The Warden, however did not see the matter in the light it was it was put by those present, and refused to take any action with respect to the hospital site, which had been reserved for the benefit of the Government, and the country generally. Mr Lipsey remarked he was of opinion wovernment had no title to the land to be set apart as a reserve ; and with reference to the late Mokena Hou said it was fully understood during his lifetime that he would give a site for a Catholic and Presby terian church on the Morgantown portion of the township, and that Mrs Lipsey would give sites for Wesleyan and Anglican churches on the Lipseytown block ; which had been done, also for public school purposes. Alter an exchange of civilities, etc., the meeting dispersed.