THE WAIMATA BLOCK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2118, 28 June 1907, Page 2

THE WAIMATA BLOCK.

EXPLANATION BY LANDS OFFICE.

At the land ballot yesterday, Mr. X “&N. ■ Broderick, District Lauds Officer, doubtloss realising that; some further explanation was necessary in connection with the Waiinata withdrawal, made reference to the matter. The papers, lie said, had informed them pretty fully as to the reasons for the withdrawal. At the same time, as much inconvenience had been caused, he considered, that lie ns a public servant, should L.ne the opportunity to make a„„ statement. (Applause.) llie. waimatii block was-first offered lor sale on December 12, I‘JOO, , and withdrawn. Since that time, although the Crown owns 24 out of 54 shares of the whole Kopaatua'ki block c! 257 - acres (or 1117 acres), the land has remained unproductive in the hands of the Natives. It was deswed to open it for settlement, .and it aas thought that- the importation of two new owners into the title could non have any worse effect- than * hat rt giving them 2-56ths of the whole 2578 acres, or, roughly, about .0 acres, only half of which would li-" J to lie severed from the vJove.—uncut portion, and it was thought Di.t matter might easily- be - arranged j without disturbing the title of the selection. However, lato on the afternoon of the 24tli, he was informed by Judge Jones that, if, the now claimants were admitted it might load to a re-partition of the whole block, and the Crown portion might bo declared anywhere, or possibly lie much diminished. The news was most unexpected, as the Crown land had already been allotted by one Court and severed by survey. Under the circumstances, there was no alternative hut to withdraw it-, and every effort was made to lessen tne nconvenienco to applicants.