THE WAIHIRERE BLOCK

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2050, 10 April 1907, Page 2

THE WAIHIRERE BLOCK

ROYALTY WANTED BY MAORIS,

The following letter from Mr H. F. Kani Perc was received at the mooting of the Borough Council last

night:— “On behalf of tho natives, tho former owners of the Waihirero and ICopuatuaki blocks, I have the honor to point out to you, that this land was taken by an Order-in-Council dated October 27th, 1902. The land became vested in the Gisborne Borough Council by virtue of the Order, and the Council became the registered proprietors under “The Land Transfer Act.” The land was taken for one especial purpose, namely, waterworks, and it was solely by the rights conferred upon him by the Statute in that behalf that His Excellency had power to take it, and by so doing vest it in tho Borough Council. Since that time the waterworks plan has been entirely altered and the Council has obtained land at Te Arai for the purpose for which Waihirero was originally taken. No purchase money has ever been paid to the Maoris for this land and tho Council therefore not having used tile land for tin purposes for which they obtained it are merely trustees for the Maori owners; nor can the Council, as 1 am advised, claim to hold the land and the title thereto in fee simple for its own benefit, or for any other purpose-than that for which it was first taken. It is a matter of public notoriety that the Council is now taking limestone from this property for the streets in Gisborne, and purposes to take large quantities of stone with the same object. The Maori owners are advised that they may petition the Governor to recall his proclamation, which being done, the laud would revest in the native owners; but if your Council is willing to make fair arrangements with the natives in regard to the usr of the stone, the natives will be content to allow so much of the land to bo used as quarries to remain vested in tho Council; and the balance they would desire to be assigned to them. The lowest sum "'charged as royalty on stone is 3d per yard, charged at the Patutahi quarries, while Gd is charged the County for gravel from a pit at. Whataupoko. This gravel is much inferior to the Waihirere stone; but the natives would accept a royalty of 6d per yard. The natives are not desirous of being driven into legal proceedings, but expect to be treated justly. Tho Clerk said the Borough Solicitor was at present taking steps to have the amount of compensation fixed.

The letter was referred to the solicitor. it being held that the Council could do nothing at that time.