TE AUTE TRUST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1759, 26 May 1906, Page 2

TE AUTE TRUST.

(Per Press Association.)

Napier, last night. Tbo To Ante Trti-t Commission eon. tinned its sittings to day. Peni To Na and Fridsv Totman*, the lat er an ex pcpil i f 'he Te Auto Co'lege. both spoke in o.nupl'umitary trrm< of the manner ; n svh'eu 'the «obool was e indue od, but. would like to s-e teohnioal instruction int oluood into the school. Both witnesses agreed that tho manage mint of the Trust was exesil int George Pries', a dairy farmer, whose land was a native lease adj ioing thß Trust lands, said that compa-cd with the Te Aut9 estate bis land bad been rated higher, and tbo valuer bad toldh'm that Ibis was because his was a dairy farm and the other a sheep run. He thought that most of Te Aute was suitable for dairy fa-ming, and thought if it were cut up there was no doubt a higher rental would be received, but he did Dot think it would bo to tho I benefit of tho College if it were taken out of the Archdeacon’s hands. The estate was always farmed to the best advantage, and no money was spayed on it.

J. N. Williams, ono cf the Trustees who was appointed by the general Synod, said be had nothing to do with tho negotiations (or the present lease, owing to his relationship to the Archdeacon. He, however, thought tho rent fixed was and the lease one which was beneficial to the Trust. He thought the exchange of land which had been made was in the intoreßts of the Trust, which had got the better of the deal. He did not think the land suitable | for sub-dividing under tho conditions ruling at tho time the loaso was made. Ho thought the school could bo worked better as a purely Nativo school. Mr D. T. Ellison, representing tbo Maoris, said the intentions of the donors of tbo land with regard to general knowledge bad been given effect to, but it was felt now that it would be a good thing to have technical instruction also given, but .in separato buildings. It was thought the education in tho College should be absolutely free to local.boys, whether Natives or half castep. He considered it would net be advi-able to sub divide the ostoie. ti any rate as long as it could be continued under Archdeacon Williams’ management. The presence and influence of the Archdeacon were provocative of a groat deal of good. The Commission then adjourned until to morrow.