MAORI LAND PURCHASE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9308, 7 August 1908, Page 1

MAORI LAND PURCHASE

OPERATIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT. REPORT FOR THE YEAR. [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August G. The report of the Maori land purchase operations by the Government for the year ended March 31, 1908, was laid on the ta"ble of the House to-day. The report explains that while last year's report was more in the - nature of an explanation of the negotiations in progress and detailed the operations set on foot for acquirng lands for the Crown for settlement purposes, this year's report conveys the information as to the whole of the actually completed purchases. The total area purchased was 263,000 acres, as follows : — Auckland 121,776 acres, Taranaki 127,821, Hawke's Bay 13,294, Wellington 109. The prices paid in the Auckland " land district ranged from 5s 6d to £2 per acre, or an average for the whole of about 19s lOd per acre. This is considerd a very fair average, in view of the scattered nature of the purchased areasand the extraordinary variety of tho soils and general capabilities from a settlement point /of view. In Taranaki the price paid ranged from 7s 6d to' £1 per aero, in Hawke's Bay £5 to £7 per acre (all the land being of first-class quality and fit for immediate settlement), and in Wellington £1 5s per acre. Mr Kensington, Under-Secretary for Lands, who is responsible for the report, states that on December 31, Major Pitt and Mr James Mackay ceased "their connection with the Department, owing to completion of operations in their districts, Mr D. Johnson was transferred to the Native Land Court and -Mr W. H. Grace is now the only land purchase officer on salary. The price paid for the land in each case was dealt with by Mr Kensington personally. There are uncompleted purchases totalling 55,534 acres, and from the numerous applications received from the Maori owners it is quite evident that additional areas could be purchased if Parliament sees fit to appropriate further moneys for the purpose. The total expenditure amounted to £142,246, set out as follows £- Salaries, purchase officers £1284, surveyors and valuators £1290, purchase of lands £139.671, total £142,245. An area of 21,791 acres was obtained by the Crown in lieu of liens. . Mr W. H. Grace, the land purchase officer, in his report, which. is published separately, says that" had the Act permitted the expenditure of further! funds much moro could have been accomplished. The general wish amonfrst j the Natives is to sell a large portion of their surplus lands, he says. The Maoris in the Rohepotae still show a great desire to sell any of the lands they do not require. Mr' Grace gives details of tho quality of the land pur- { fchased by him. He says the greater part pf it is suitable for closer settlement, and when brought into the market will ,be readily taken up.