WEST COAST LEASES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143766, 15 April 1912, Page 3

WEST COAST LEASES.

COMMISSION of inquiry, WELLINGTON, April 11. Dr. M'Arthur, S.M., of Wellington, and Mr. W. Kerr, S.M., of Wanganui, have been appointed a commission to inquire (1) On what terms the lessees of the West Coast Settlement Native Reserves, or any of them, should be permitted to surrender their present leases' and obtain new leases in lieu therefor under section 8 of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1892. (2) Whether any of the said lessees have been misled by’ any act of tho Public Trust Department, or the form of the lease issued, or the regulations made under the West Coast Settlement Reserve's Act, ISSI, or its amendments, into believing that there was no limit to the amount of the compensation to which they were entitled under their leases, and in consequence of such belief made on their leaseholds, or purchased from oilier lessees, improvements in excess of five (£5) per acre. (3) What areas of laud now leased under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881, and its amendments, may hereafter bo required by the, native owners for their use and occupation, and, having regard to their particular interests therein and their individual fitness for profitably using such lands, which of the said leases, if any, should bo allowed to remain under the present tenure in order that such native owmers may, on the expiration of such leases, compote for the possission of the lands held under them.

(4) What provisions should bo made to enable such native owners to got financial assistance from tho Government to enable them to work their farms, should any of them become tenants of such leaseholds. Dr. M'Arthur is chairman of the commission, which has to report not later than June 29.