UREWERA LANDS CONSOLIDATION SCHEME (REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS AS TO POSITION OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1924 Session I, G-07

G.—7

1924. NEW ZEALAND.

UREWERA LANDS CONSOLIDATION SCHEME (REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS AS TO POSITION OF).

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Department of Lands andjSurvey, District Office, Auckland, sth June, 1924. To the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister of Lauds, and the Hon. J. G. Coates, Native Minister Wellington. Sirs, — Urewera Lands Consolidation Scheme. We have the honour to report that, the topographical surveys at Ruatoki referred to in our last report (G.-7, 1923) having been finished, we revisited Ruatoki in October last, and completed matters that had been left in abeyance, adjusting boundary-lines and claims for compensation for abandoned improvements. Following the Chief Judge's decision upon the dividing-line between Parckohe and Whaitiripapa, we were able to dispose of the conflicting Pohue claims, ascertain the ownership, and partition the block. The decision by the Crown to acquire Oamaru 1c was given effect to, partly by absorption of interests into Urewera lands and partly by cash payments. The adjourned Ruatahuna meeting was resumed in March and April this year. The legislation passed last session facilitated operations, and we were able to locate all groups except in the case of irreconcilables under the leadership of Pincere Hori and Wharepouri te Amo, who would not submit their claims for our consideration. Some of the people formerly under their influence came into the scheme and had their interests located, and others have been determined by the fixing of the boundaries of adjacent claims. But, despite every inducement and consideration offered and shown by the Commission, the balance of the opposition groups refused to join in the scheme. No reasons were given except that they would prefer the Native Land Court to deal with their claims. We therefore amalgamated their groups and located them in two areas, to include their Tarapounamu and Ruatahuna interests ; and one title for both blocks, defining the relative interests, has been prepared, and called Apitihana. The external boundaries of this block, which will include all their houses and cultivations, will be defined by survey, and plans prepared to enable the Native Land Court to subdivide the blocks at a later date. The groups in this district generally as originally set up were almost entirely abandoned, and a reconsolidation of their interest made to suit their wishes and requirements. The Maungapohatu and Ohaua series were also revised and amended to provide for the inclusion of interests brought in from the miscellaneous and other groups. The following lists of names were submitted for any action that may be taken under section 11 of the Native Land Amendment and Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1923 : — With regard to part of the summit of Maungapohatu Mountain, estimated at about 500 acres, used from ancient times by the Tuhoe Tribe as a burial-place, and regarded by them as sacred : — Takuaterangi Tutakangahau Matioro te Parewa Te Iwiwhiro te Wiremu Rua Kenana Tawera Moko Te Waipatu te Winitaua Te Iwikino Hairuha Te Kahunui Tupaea Tane Hauraki Kamaua te Pou Paora Rangiaho Taihakoa Poniwahio Wiremu Wi Tupara Kaaho Taua Rakuraku Paora Kingi Taiwera Rawiri Hurae Puketapu Te Whctu Parati Te Amo Kokouri Eruete Peene Te Hurinui Apanui Noho Taratoa Mika te Tawhao.

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for land situated at Ohiro, about 50 acres in Ranga-a-Ruanuku, containing caves used as places of burial:— Taihakoa Poniwahio Noho Taratoa Wari te Whiu Te Ruahuihui Hami Morena te Wharetuna Te Raukaraka Eroatara Matehaere te Waara Moihi te Reweti Te Awhena Reha Te Pairi Teterangi Te Wharekiri Paparatu Tupaea Rapaera Marata te Hiko Merc Peura Hori Hiakita Ramari Topu Mika te Tawliao Maui te Tawhi Patu Matehaere Haami Taupo Moko te Wharetuna Pita te Tawhi Te Umu Hukanui Te Roihi Pakira Tamehana te Puia Akuhata te Hiko Te Arohana to Rewa. For a reserve of about 400 acres in Kohuru-Tukuroa Block, in which the Natives can catch pigeons :- — Pouwhare te Roau Hata Waewae Wiremu Trainor Rehua te Wao Pakitu Wharekiri Tawera Moko Kohunui Tupaea as representatives for their groups. At a sitting of the Commission at Ruatoki in April last it was stated that a number of the Urewera Natives sold their lands prior to enlisting for the war ; those who returned now find themselves landless, and they ask that the Crown give them land so that they may not be a burden on the members of their families. The names given were : — Paku te Pouwhare Whinoki te Aare Mahu Wiremu Rangitane Mika Nimi Wi Mutu Pita Kamureti Rangiaho Paora Meihana te Rewa Tamati Matiu Piripi Reha Te Pini Tamehana Timutimu Tiolri Tangahao Paora Wikiriwhi te llorohau Hape Haturini Te Whitu Turci Tame te Hare Karaka Takao Tame te Whetn Monu Kahukiwa Mita Hori Pa te Amo Te Tena to Piihi Wirihana te Pairi Kawata Tuhoe Kingi te Whetu Tawhio te Hare Rupi Wiremu Te Hauwaho te Waara Te Tenei Wi. Tamaheu Ereatara This request is submitted for your consideration. Since our last report the titles to the Waimana and Raroa Blocks have been completed ; flic necessary surveys of the Hikurangi, Ruatoki, Maungapohatu, and Te Whaiti series arc in hand, and will be completed this season ; and the survey of the Tarapounamu, liuataliuna, Waikaremoana, and Ohaua groups have been commenced, and we expect will be finished next summer. The sittings of the Commission are finished, but the Commissioners will have to moot to complete titles when the survey plans are available, and it is anticipated that problems arising out of the Ruatahuna surveys may require attention. During the work of consolidation the Commission have laid off and made awards for 211 Native blocks, with all necessary succession and trustee orders to bring the titles up to date, and to facilitate operations have purchased ninety-nine interests on behalf of the Crown. The Crown's title cannot be drawn up until the surveys of the Native blocks are completed. The list of the former owners of Waikaremoana Block, to whom debentures are to be issued in satisfaction of their interests in the block, and the amount to which they are entitled, is now being prepared. We have, &c, R. J. Knight,". .. ~ . . H Carr > Urewera Commissioners.

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