Horowhenua Commission.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 286, 9 June 1896, Page 2

Horowhenua Commission.

(Per Presß Association.) Wellington, June 8. The report of the Commission was made available this evening. The tenor is unfavorable to Major Kemp, whose demeanour impressed the Commissioners as not being honest, and who is found to owe the tribe some £1500 and possibly other moneys. ■■■'•:'■• With respect to Sir Walter Buller's dealings, section 14 of the report says : — " The only conclusion we can come to is that Sir Walter Bnller knew prior to leaving in 1886 for England the .whole block was held by Kemp under one title in trust for the tribe, and on his return to New Zealand he, without making enquiry if the trust was extinguished, purchased a part and leased other parts of the trust property." They recommend— That proceedings be taken to test the validity of these transfers, and if set aside, that the Crown should acquire the property ; that on payment of £5000 to those of Kawana Hunia's representatives who the Native Land Court may find entitled, the State Farm be vested in the Crown ; that unless Kemp accounts for moneys due by him, some 4.2000, a statutory charge bo placed on the lands he owns. The names of those natives whom the Commission finds entitled to ownership iv various sections are attached to the report.