The Feilding Star, Oboua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. TUESDAY. DECEMBER 7, 1897. A WISE ACT.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 135, 7 December 1897, Page 2

The Feilding Star, Oboua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. TUESDAY. DECEMBER 7, 1897. A WISE ACT.

Thb Minister of Lands has acted wisely in bringing in a Bill to vest Kapiti Island in the Crown. Tbe object of tbis is to conserve the natural scenery of the Island, and to provide a suitable preserve for the fauna and flora of New Zealand. Tbe Island will also be vested as a public reserve. Of course, compensation will be made to persons who now bold freehold or lesser interests, when the Island is taken possession of under the Act The Trustees of tbe Reserve will be — Tbe Minister of Lands for tbe time being, tbe Surveyor General, tbe Member for the Otuki Electoral District, or other district within which the island may for the time being be included, together wit) Wi Parata Kahakura, of Waikanae, native chief, and such otber persons or bodies as the Governor shall appoint. The Native Chief to hold office for life, and the other persons cr bodies for the term of five years. The Minister of Lands shall be the Chairman of the Board and preside at all meetings, but in case of absence he may nominate any Trustee to be the Chairman of such meeting. The cost of administration of the Act will be defrayed out of the penalties, fees, and tolls arising under the Act, together with the monies accruing to tbe Trustees from time to time under " The Public Domains \ct 1881," supplemented by such monies as may from time to time be appropriated by Parliament. The intention of the Act is a most commendable one, and the sooner it is brought into force the better for the colony.