NATIVE MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 55, 2 September 1926, Page 9

NATIVE MATTERS

"WASHING-UP" BILL CLAUSES. Among tho general clauses in the Native Land " Washing-up " Bill is one empowering the Maori Land Board to make advances for agricultural and pastoral purposes or the improvement and settlement -of any Native land vested in the board, and beneficially owned by more, than ten Natives in common. •The Native Land Board is empowered in cases where default is made in payment, of rates on Native land, other than Native freehold, to appoint a receiver with power to mortgago tho area and pay outstanding or current rates. A lengthy clause gives effect to the agreement with tho Taupo Natives and declares the bed of Lake Taupo to be vested in the Crown, tho Natives having the right to fish-for their own purposes.* A chain margin around the lake is to be reserved for the public as a right-of-way. Tho Grivcrnor-Genoral r-ay reserve to holders of special licenses a right-of-way over a strip of land not exceeding ono chain in width along tho banks of rivers or streams vested in tho Crown. The Crown will havo the exclusive right to let for camping any part of the land so reserved, and is authorised to lay out camp sites for anglers. • The amendment to the Nativo Trustee Act introduced into the House of Representatives this morning provides that sections 71 and 72 of the Property Law Act shall not apply to mortgages in favour of the Native Trustee. Funds accepted for special investment otherwise than in the Common Fund shall not be entitled to the protection afforded by the principal Act. The Native Trustee is not required to comply with the provisions of the Native Land Act, 1900, as to limitation of area, and the Trustee may be appointed a trustee, executor agent, or attorney. Tho Trustee may also appoint a person to sell personally by auction in certain cases without an auctioneer's license having to be taken out.