NATIVE LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 949, 23 July 1903, Page 3

NATIVE LANDS.

.TAI-RAWHITI LAND .COUNCIL. The Tai-Rawhiti Maori Land Council met in the new, Court-room, in the old post-office building, yesterday. morning, there being present The President (Judge Jones), the retiring President (Judge Gill), and Members VVi Potae, Pene Heihi, and Plata Te Kani. Member Epanai .YVhanga was granted' leave of absence on account of illness in the family. > Mr A. T. Ngata was in attendance and acted 'as interpreter. Messrs Sievwright, W. L. Rees, J. W. Nolan, L. Rees, ,V. Barker* and J. Blair represented the Bar. The natives attended in strong force. Mr W. L. Rees said that before the Council entered upon its business, he would like to say that the present sitting was a matter of great importance to the district, especially as from that date the life of the

Council really commenced. It was presided over by a gentleman whom they all knew, and in whose ability integrity, and capacity they all had confidence, and the Bar felt that the occasion was one which could not be permitted to pass without an expression of their goodwill. It really marked an epoch in the history of Jilaori lands, and the Bar desired to -express their best wishes to the President and members of the Council for their success in the work they had to do. The present.sitting of the Council would open under the best auspices, and there was no doubt that, although they must proceed cautiously at first, the hopes of the public would eventually,'be fulfilled to the utmost.

Mr Sievwriglit, as the eldest practitioner present, heartily concurred in the remarks of Mr Rees, and expressed the hope that the sitting inaugurated that day would he attend-| ed with the best results. Although the profession might he said to be selfish in the matter, he thought they would, give all assistance m tue development of business for the public,- benefit. ~ , , In 'reply, the President thanked Messrs Rees and Sievwriglit for the kind expressions of goodwill, and hoped that their remarks would be iustified. It was, however, to be remembered that it was .principally upon the native members of the Council that its success would depend. Their interest was already evidenced in the fact that some of the native members had come long distances to attend the meeting. The Act was passed so that the lan'ds could be administered with the assistance of the natives themselves. | They had already, shown adaptability for the business, and in future it would be made clear to them that it was good for them as, well as for the Europeans that the fertile lands of the district should be brought into profitable occupation. Mr Rees had been kind enough to say, that the Council had the goodwill of the Europeans: If that were so, they now required only to get the confluence of the natives themselves, and this they would endeavor to earn by their actions. t . Messrs Rees and Nolan asked lor information as to the Council’s procedure, the latter suggesting that as the working of the Act had disclosed defects, they might meet the President and discuss them. Mr Rees suggested that they might hold the conference before Judge Gill, who had been connected with the Native (Department since its inception, had left Gisborne, and thus they w.ould get the benefit of his extensive experience.- ~ T The President said that both he and Judge Gill would be pleased to meet the profession, and would convey, any representation by, them to the proper quarter. It was arranged to hold the meetinn- on Friday afternoon, and that natives .would also be given attenThe Council then proceeded with its business, which was principally the fixing of dates and places for setting up Papatupu Committees. These committees formed from the owners take up the investigation of the title to blocks not already through the Native L’and Court, subject to revision by the Council. It, was stated that reports to three blocks were already j made, but had not yet reached the Council. September 21 and 23 were the dates fixed for the election of committees* in ten blocks-yesterday, and two others come before the Council this morning. ' , , , At the conclusion of yesterday s Sitting, the President complimented the Native members on the businesslike methods which they had adopted in dealing with the various matters, and they, in return / assured the (European members that'as soon as the blocks in course of investigation were complete there would be ample land for the Council to administer. The blocks already brought forward Would constitute a complete block of about 40,000 acres—all good land suitable for settlement. It was further stated that the working, of. the Council would helater ihvoked for the purpose of vesting land near Waipiro for the establishment of freezing .works, two sites being under consideration^ The Council . then adjourned till this morning.