LEASES OF NATIVE LANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 February 1931, Page 2

LEASES OF NATIVE LANDS

King country terms varied. PROVISION FOR COMPENSATION. (Special to News.) Te Kuiti, Feb. 16. Variations have been made in the terms of tile leases of a number of native owned properties at Rangitoto, following the applications of settlers* A commission, of which Judge MacCormick was chairman, sat at Te Kuiti some time ago to hear evidence and go into the question of variation of the terms of leases of native land situate within the Waikato-Maniapoto Maori Land District. As the result of the recommendations of the commission,- Section 30 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1929, was passed, giving the Maori Land Board power to vary the covenants and conditions of leases of native land within the district.

A number of lessees lodged the necessary applications, and these were dealt with at a special sitting of the Maori Land Board held at Te Kuiti on October 8. At the conclusion of the hearing Judge MacCormick indicated that his recommendations would be sent to tile Native Minister for approval and eventually be embodied in orders of the Maori Land Board.

• The orderg have just come to hand, and in the majority of cases material alterations have been made in the terms of the respective leiisefe. Generally spfeaking the rent has been redued to a rent equivalent to 5 per cent, of the present unimproved value of the land. Provision has been made that at the expiry of every sev„ii years the rent is to be determined by arbitration and assessed on a basis of the then unimproved value. In cases where a lease does not contain a compensation clause, provision has been made for the rent for the last seven years to be paid to ‘Jis Maori Land Board arid held by it.

The accumulated rent for this period of seven years, plus interest (less the usual administration charges), is to be paid to the lessee at the expiration of the term as compensation for permanent improvements effected by him. It is expected that the relief granted to lessees of native land in this district will go a long way towards alleviating the difficulties they have been labouring under for many years past.