60 YEARS’ WAIT FOR RENT

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1933, Page 4

60 YEARS’ WAIT FOR RENT

EASY-GOING OKAIAWA MAORI

SOUTH TARANAKI PAYMENT £5OOO.

TUWEHIRANGI VISITS HAWERA.

MAN’S* COMPLAINT OF AMOUNT.

A Maori woman who had not troubled to collect her rent since 1870 applied for payment at Okaiawa on Friday. Though her annual allowance is small, the accumulations totalled about £6OO and the officials, who were taken by surprise by the unexpected demand, paid out a portion of the amount for the meantime. About £5OOO is being paid to South Taranaki Maoris on this occasion, the sum representing three months’ rent. About £14,000 was paid in September.

Hawera was crowded with Natives on Saturday, the most interesting visitor being Tuwehirangi, of Manutahi, who in spite of her reputed 115 years, was still able to collect her rent personally. Towards the close of the day the town became lively, and it was apparent that some of the Maoris had not waited long before getting rid of some of their money. There was no disorderliness, however.

The majority of them were well satisfied with the payment, but there were one or two complaints. One man complained to the Daily News that he had received £ll7 in December 1932, and only £l7 on this occasion. When approached on the matter Mr. R. Sinel, of the Native Trust Office, Wellington, who was in charge of the pay-out, confirmed the statement but declined to comment. The usual explanation of such cases, it was learnt from other quarters, is that, the land on which the rent is to be paid is leased to a pakeha who is late in his payments. It was also stated that the department sometimes retains some .of the money as settlement of a debt or interest on a debt.