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.