G.—7

To the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Native Affairs. Memorandum regarding the Tongariro Timber Co., Ltd. 1. The undersigned are the leading owners of the land which forms the subject of the timber, railway, and other rights of the above-mentioned company. 2. The said company has approached the owners of the said laud and made the following requests : — (a) That the present standard and specifications of the railway-line mentioned and described in the company's title-deeds be modified in such manner as to make them conform to the requirements originally stipulated for in the said title-deeds, with such adjustments or variations as may be arranged between the Honourable Minister and the company or its assignee or assignees. (b) That the company or its assignee or assignees be granted leave to deviate the route of the said railway-line between, say, the 5-mile point (Kakahi end) and the 20-mile point, so that the line will pass to the latter point over the saddle lying between the Maungaku and Maungakatote peaks, instead of proceeding thence by the present surveyed route. (c) That the times laid down for the construction of the said railway-line (with its standard modified and its route deviated as aforesaid) be extended, respectively, as follows : — (1) To the 31st day of December, 1932, for the construction of the first twenty miles (Kakahi end) thereof : (2) To the 31st day of December, 1945, for the construction of the remaining portion of the lines. (d) That the term of the aforesaid company's rights be extended by five years —that is to say, to the 28th day of February, 1966. (c) That the Honourable Minister be empowered to effect such alterations or amendments in the provisions of the aforesaid title-deeds, as may be rendered necessary or equitable by aforesaid deviation, or, by reason of any change or changes in general conditions that have occurred since the title-deeds were executed. 3. The undersigned agree to the granting of all the aforesaid requests and respectfully authorize and urge the Honourable Minister to give effect to them accordingly. Such effect, however, shall, only be given on the express condition that the scale of royalty laid down in the aforesaid title-deeds and payable to the owners, shall be increased in manner following : — (a) For the period ending the 29th day of February, 1936—n0 increase : (b) For the period ending the 28th day of February, 1946 —from £11 ss. to £12 10s. per acre : (c) For the period ending the 29th day of February, 1956 —from £13 2s. 6d. to £15 per acre : (d) For the period ending the 28th day of February, 1966—from £15 to £20. 4. The undersigned further authorize and urge the Honourable Minister to grant the aforementioned company or its assignee or assignees complete immunity from all proceedings for the determination of its rights under the aforementioned title-deeds until the 12th day of December, 1928 ; and, further, if at any time or before that date it shall appear to the Honourable Minister that the said company or its assignee or assignees have made such financial arrangements as will enable it or them to pay the owners all arrears of royalty owing to them and to construct the aforementioned first twenty miles of railway-line, then the Honourable Minister may, in his own absolute discretion, extend the period of the aforementioned immunity to such date or dates as he shall think fit. Dated the 7th day of September, 1928. Signed by Hoani Te Heuheu and 149 others. Re Tongabieo Standing Timbers, Ltd. The committee, consisting of Messrs. R. Smith, M.P., Hampson, Grace, and Findlay, met on the 4t hday of October, 1928, and. unanimously resolved as follows : — 1. That the Honourable the Native Minister be recommended and requested to consent to the following modifications of the rights of the Tongariro Timber Co., Ltd., under its title-deeds from the Aotea. District Maori Land Board :— (a) That the present standard and specifications of the railway-line mentioned and described in the company's title-deeds be modified in such manner as to make them conform to the requirements originally stipulated for in the said title-deeds, with such adjustments or variations as may bo arranged between the Honourable Minister and the company or its assignee or assignees. (b) That the company or its assignee or assignees be granted leave to deviate the route of the said railway-line between, say, the 5-miles point (Kakahi end) and the 10-mile point, so that the line will pass to the latter point over the saddle lying between the Maungaku and Maungakatote peaks, instead of proceeding thence by the present surveyed route. (c) That the times laid down for the construction of the said railway-line (with its standard modified and its route deviated, as aforesaid) be extended respectively, as follows : — (1) To the 31st day of December, 1935, for the construction of the first twenty miles (Kakahi end) thereof : (2) To the 31st day of December, 1945, for the construction of the remaining portion of the line.

3—G. 7.

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