NATIVES’ PROPOSALS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19843, 18 May 1927, Page 7

NATIVES’ PROPOSALS

A RAILROAD TO TAUPO SALE OF TIMBER SUGGESTED.. [Per Press Association.] TAUMABUNUI, May 17. A large meeting of natives of the Ngatituwharctoa tribes was held at Kakahi last night to discuss the position in regard to the proposed railway line from Kakahi to Lake Taupo. Mr M. H. Hampson, solicitor to the natives, outlined the dealings between the natives and the Tongariro Timber Coy. since 1906, and eventually it was resolved that as the .natives could see no possibility of the company ful- ; filling its obligations, the Tongariro j Timber Coy. should be wound up. It was further agreed that the native owners should petition Parliament and ask to have their agreement with the company cancelled; that legislation be passed to incorporate all their lands, and that a board of directors be formed with power to borrow money and build railways to Taupo. It was stated at tho meeting that there were 2,000,000,000 feet of timber in the block, and that if this were ■ rated at sixpence per 100 feet, it would realise £500,000, which would be more than sufficient to build a railway up to the standard required by the Government. 1 Finally it was resolved that in the 'event of the proposal being accepted Iby the Government, action be taken. ■ at once to go on with the proposition land the building of the railway.