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NATIVE LANDS AND NATIVE-LAND TENURE: INTERIM REPORT OF NATIVE LAND COMMISSION, ON NATIVE LAND IN THE ROTORUA COUNTY AND WITHIN THE THERMAL-SPRINGS DISTRICT.

Presented, to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Native Land Commission, Morrinsville, 18th June, 1908. To His Excellency the Governor. May it please Your Excellency,— We have the honour to submit for your consideration a further report on Native lands in Rotorua County and within the Thermal-springs District. Rotorua County. After our sitting in January last, and upon the representations of NgatiWhakaue and other hapus of Te Arawa, the subdivision of certain blocks in the above county, of the total area of 61,861 acres, was referred to the Native Land Court. On our return in March the Court had not been able to effect any partitions. A special Court was set up to deal with the blocks. The NgatiWhakaue, however, withdrew their cases. In every block where the Court made partitions the Maoris lodged appeals. The Maoris, however, asked us to deal with these lands, and not wait for the completion of the partitions. They expressed their willingness to hand over large areas for settlement by lease under the provisions of " The Thermal-springs District Act, 1881." The Ngati-Pikiao, who are wedded to the incorporation system, asked that the Taheke Block (19,831 acres) be incorporated. This block is held in many subdivisions, and as many Committees will probably be required as there are subdivisions. We recommend the incorporation of this block under section 28 of " The Maori Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1907," with power to enter into treaty with the Crown for sale, to lease, and set aside areas for Maori farms and papakaingas. Okataina Block of 20,209 acres, was also submitted. This is a large block situated round, and, as the Maoris allege, including, Okataina Lake. The title is in a backward position, as are all the titles in the south-eastern portion of Rotorua County. It is owned by the Ngati-Tarawhai Hapu. It is good pastoral land, with some valuable milling-timber on it. The owners ask that the land be dealt with under the provisions of section 12 of " The Thermal-

1908. NEW ZEALAND.