HAMUA NATIVE RESERVE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LV, Issue 8607, 15 November 1906, Page 3

HAMUA NATIVE RESERVE.

Memorial to the Premier.

The following memorial, bearing 109 signatures, has been forwarded, through Mr Hogg, M.H.R., to the Premier :—

We, the undersigned settlers of tho Eketahuna Couuty, respectfully ask that you will take into consideration the advisability of sub dividing the Native Reserve (generally known as the Hamua Native Reserve) for the purpose of allowing settlers to take up sections.

This large block of land is at present owned by the Natives, and, as the sawmillers have taken the bush from tho greater part of it, and it will soon be cut-out, we are of the opinion that the Government should acquire the land and subdivide it. We submit the following' reasons : - 1. That the block (which consists of about 4000 acres) is the oaly land in the Eketahuna County which is available for close settlement. (The County of Eketahuna is closely settled, there being fourteen persons to the square mile ; but in this -1000 acres there are practically no settlers.) 2. That the County of Eketahuna is comprised of small holdings, averaging about 110 acres, and an unproductive block of land, such as this Reserve, is a loss to the County in every way. 3. That for many years the block contributed no revenue in the form of rates, whilst in the hands of tho Natives; and, at the present time, the amount of rates received by the County is not proportionate to ihe area.

4. That tho land, whilst in lie hands of the present owners, is a menace to holders of adjoining sections, owing to the increasing growth of noxious weeds in the Reserve. 5. That the quantity of dead trees and bush on the Reserve is a source of danger to neighbouring settlers, in the dry season, in case of fire.

6. That the present roading through the Reserve facilitates the subdivision into small holdings.

7. That there are three small townships on the boundaries of the reserve—?'/;, Newman, Hamua, ancl Hukanui.

8. That the land is suitable for dairy farming; and that there are three cream cries, at Hukanui, Hamua and Newman, any of which are within easy reach of any part of the reserve.

9. That, by sub-dividing the reserve into sections of not less than one hundred acres each, the industrious dairy farmer would soon convert the reserve into productive holdings.

10. That there are bona .tide settlers, and sons of settlers, here, who are prepared to take up sections should it be cut up for

selection.

11. That the Native Minister promised, at the opening of the Hamua-Hukanui Bridge, that the reserve would be dealt with to the satisfaction of both partiesEuropean and Native.

In a letter supporting the petition Mr Hogg points out that the Native owners and adjacent settlers are on the best of terms and that the petitioners have no wish to impoverish the Natives. On the contrary, it is confidently believed that the settlement of the block would prove a substantial mutual advantage.