WEST COAST LEASES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1412, 12 April 1912, Page 2

WEST COAST LEASES.

A COMMISSION SET UP, TO MAKE INQUIRIES. Br. A. M'Arthur, S.M., of Wellington, and Mr. W. Kerr, S.H., of Wanganui, have been appointed commissioners toinquiro into matters connected-with the West Coast Settlement Reserves Leases. The commission, which was gazetted last night, stales that the lessees nf lands held under the provisions of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881,. and its amendments, are desirjns of surrendering their present leases and obtaining in lieu thereof leases under Section 8 of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, ISO 2. Some of then allege that they have been misled bv the form of the lease or the conduct (if the Public Trustee into supposing that the compensation f/ayable in rivpoct of the improvements on their leases was not. limited (0 the sum of fiva pounds for every acre thereof, and acting on-that supposition made, or purchased improvements in excess of that limit. The Native owners allege that the lands will be required for their own use and occupation on the expiration of (ho leases, and have requested that, the desire of tho present levees to obtain permission to surrender their leases and obtain fresh leases under 'he West Coast Settlement Reserves Act. 1802, shall not be granted. The Commissioners are to inquire: (1) On what terms and conditions tho said lessees or anv of them should bo permitted to surrender their present leases and obtain new leases in lieu thereof under Section 8 of tho West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1802. - (2) Whether anv of the said lessees havo been misled by any act of the Public 'trustee or unv'other officer of the l'ubiic Trust Dcpirtiiient, or the form of tho lease issued, or the regulations made under' the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881, or its amendments, into believing that there was no limit to tho amount of the compensation to which 1 hey were entitled under (heir lec-es, anil m consequent of siu-h- belief made on their leaseholds or purchased from other le-serj improvements in excess ot iive pounds (.Co) per acre. , , , CI) What areas of land now leased under the WV-I Com-I Settlement Reserves \cl. ISSI, and its amendments, may hrreaflcr be. required by the Xativc owne"s for their u*c and occupation; and, having regard l» their particular interests therein and their individual illness lor profitably using such- lands which of the said leases if any, should be allowed to remain under Hie present tenure in order that such Native owners may, nll the expiration of such leases, compete lor the possession oi the lauds held under Hiem. . , ~ , , . ' (I) What provi-ion siinuld be made to enable such Native owner- to get financial assistance from the Onvrrninent to i'imT> them to work their tanns. should any of Hiem b-xonie tenants of such leaseholds. . . |)r M'Arthm' i* appointed chairman. The 'commission is In report 011 or bctore June 20.