SHEEP-FARMING BY MAORIS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2081, 16 May 1907, Page 2

SHEEP-FARMING BY MAORIS

SUCCESSFUL TOKOMARU ASSOCIATION.

Our Tokomaru correspondent writes:—

Now that the question of Maori lands is so prominently before the public, it may be interesting to know that the Maoris of Tokomaru are working their land in the vicinity of the township to great advantage as a sheep farm. The area of the run is about' 4200 acres, and it is good land, able to carry 3 sheep to the acre. The natives started their slicep-farming operations 15 years ago. A meeting was held of owners who, including men, women, and children, numbered some hundreds. A majority decided on forming among themselves a company to work the land as a sheep farm, and 306 shares at £1 each were taken up. The minority who stood out had no objection to their land being used, but would not subscribe, and asserted that the work was doomed to failure. It was then decided that no individual was to have more than one share, and that rule has been kept to since .the inception. Operations were thus commenced on a very small capital, and for the first seven years the shareholders got no dividends, but sheds and yards were put up, fencing erected, and the land stocked and generally improved on the profits. Then the shareholders began to reap the benefits of their patience and dividends of £1 per share, and in the few succeeding years £2 were paid. In 1905 the splendid dividend of £ll per share was paid, £1906 £l2, and this year £lO.

It may he imagined that those natives who fifteen years ago would not join the company, have in the past few years commenced to clamour for some share in the profits, seeing that they are part owners of the property. This matter has been discussed at many meetings, and through the instrumentality of Apirana Ngata, M.H.li., an amicable settlement has been arrived at. It has been mutually agreed that original shareholders receive this year in addition to their dividend the sum of £lO per share, and that uon-sharelioldors, hut part owners, receive /15s per acre for the use of tUe ground for the past 15 years, and that from this year onwards all owners participate in the profits according to the extent of their ownership of the land.

It is worthy of note that the management- of the sheep farm is very economical. A committee of three, elected annually by the shareholders, are the managers. For this each committeeman receives £7 per annum in salary. A permanent secretary is also employed at a salary of £l3. ‘ A shepherd receiving £BO a year is the only other regular employee. The whole of the work —managing, shepherding, shearing, etc.: — is done by natives, no Europeans! being employed in any capacity. The present committee of management .Consists of W. H. Potao (ehaArtnan), MikaGra Pewhairaiigi, and Raniera l’ewliairangi. lliaia Hutana is secretary. , . ' The success, of their sheep-farming has certainly showed to the - i tives the benefits of co-operation, and it may he noted that so satisfied are they - about the prosperity of cv.r township that w)ien the local Fanners’ Co-op. Company started, the Maori Company took lip for the benefit of its shareholders ov.er 390 shares.