NATIVE AND GROWN LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 847, 23 March 1903, Page 2

NATIVE AND GROWN LANDS.

UNOCCUPIED AREAS IN EAST COAST.

ABOUT A MILLION ACRES LOCKED UP.

At the meeting of tho Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Uuion, held on Saturday, the question of Native and Crown lands unoccupied in the Cook County was discussed. Mr A. H. Wallis reported that he had gone carefully into the matter as far as Waiapu Council was concerned, and there were 218,283 acres of Native land, as well as 37,000 unoccupied odd acres of Crown lands. To this had to be added, the land in the Counties of Cook and Whakatane. In round numbers there were 220,000 acres of unoccupied land, and most of the land omitted from the list as being occupied paid rates. No block had been included on any part of which there was Native settlement or cultivation. “It is a shame,” remarked Mr H. Lysnar. Continuing, Mr Wallis said that there

were no natives living on these lands. The area mentioned was absolutely waste. There were no roads to the bulk of it. He thought it would be much better for tho Government, and for tho colony, to make roads to these lands and throw them open to settlement than taking up settled land that was already paying rates. It would be absurd to put settlers on the land in its present state without roads. It would be much cheaper and better business to buy these lands, road them, and put settlers upon them, than to purchase improved estates. He added that a good deal of land which should be included in this return was in Whakatane County, but its produce would come through Waiapu County. Tho boundary of the county should be the watershed, but at present it came this side of the watershed. If the land laws had not been altered, the bulk of the land would have been purchased and been in occupation by this time. Mr Macfarlano said that he had not been able to get a list of the unoccupied areas in Cook County, but it would be available in a few days. Mr Wallis said that including the land in the Whakatane County which should

rightly come into Waiapu, there was quite 460,000 acres in the Waiapu County alone lying in an unproductive state. The land could be occupied by the Crown without in any way interfering with the interests of the natives. Mr Clayton said the Native Land question was retarding settlement and affecting everyone in the district. If the Gov-

I ernment could not find owners of these Native lands, they should at least pay a I fair price for the land and put it into a fund for the benefit of the owners when I they were ascertained. Mr Parker said the matter was not only a local but a colonial matter. Mr Hood said it affected this district more than any place in the colony. Mr Wallis said it affected them very much in Waiapu county, as these lands paid no rates. Mr Hood said they should bring the matter up at the Provincial Conference aud get everyone interested in the district to take it up and press for the settlement of these lauds.

Mr Wallis: One of the unsatisfactory features is that we are making roads through these lands, and yet they pay no rates. At the present moment the land is I worth perhaps five shillings an acre, but ufCsr we have made the roads it will be worth over twenty shillings. After further discussion, the question was deferred until the conference of the local branches, to be held next month. It was decided that the executive should meet the day before and prepare a report to place before the Cooferenoe.