NATIVE LAND COURT.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3570, 10 March 1886, Page 3

NATIVE LAND COURT.

[By Telegbafh.] Taupo, March 9. The Okaihukura block of 80,000 acres 01 the Bouth of lake Taupo passed tho Nativ< Land Court here on Saturday last, and Goyernment, it ia said, are negotiating for the purchase of portions adopted for settlement. To Heuheu and his brother chiefs have agreed, m accordance with a desiro expressed by tho Native Minister, to make the mountains of Ruapehu, Ngaruhuo and Tongariro, which are partly m this block, inalienable reserves, which are intended as public recreation grounds, and orders of Court have been made accordingly. Large reservations at Tokanni, including numerous hot springs, are also being arranged for the purpose of towaship and agricultnral settlement, much of the land m that neighborhood being well Buited foi the latter purpose. The Court is at pres^ enfc adjudicating upon the claims of Tc Heuheu and Heteria To Poereta to land: on the western sido of Lake Taupo, a large block of absut 400,000 acres, extending from the Waikato river, near Whakamaru, to Haarkia and Tuhua. This covers a large portion of the country about which rumors of gold and other minerals have been rife foi years past, and which will now soon be thoroughly tested. About 500 or 600 natives are now attending the Court, and matters appear to be going smoothly. Taimua and Rowi Maniopoto (or Manga) and other aboriginal magnates are all present looking after their several interests.