ON THE LAND

Te Ao Hou, July 1956, Page 47

ON THE LAND The Maori shareholders of the Mangatu Block near Gisborne, one of the largest and richest farming enterprises in New Zealand, have voted for a new committee to govern their incorporation. Voting was on a share basis, and the election was controlled by the registrar of the Maori Land Court at Gisborne, Mr V. Holst. The following committee was elected: Hemi Kauta Wharekino, Mahanga Brown, Iru Ruru, Rongowhakaata Albert, Panapa Tuhoe, Nehe Tu, and Kingi Areata Keiha. Mr Hemi Wharekino received the most votes. The procedure now is for the incorporation to apply to the Maori Land Court for the appointment of those elected. Final responsibility for making the appointment rests with the Court, which has wide powers of discretion, and which is also responsible for appointing the chairman. The election itself was ordered by the Court under the terms of special legislation passed last year. At a meeting just before the election the shareholders decided to vote on a share basis and to limit the committee to seven members. There were 14 nominations. * * * The Maori Affairs Department will bring two new Maori land schemes under development in North Auckland this year. The two new schemes amount to 8,688 acres and bring the total area being developed by the Maori Affairs Department in North Auckland to 88,000 acres. The new schemes are at Onepu, situated between between Ngataki and Wairahi, Mangonui County and Omapere which extends from Kaikohe borough boundary to Lake Omapere. Eventually these schemes will be sub-divided for settlement by 43 Maori farmers. As well as bringing idle land into production, the schemes will provide work for Maori families in the area both during development and after settlement. On settlement freehold titles will be given where possible and in other cases, long-term leases will be made available.