WAI-0-HI-HARORE BLOCK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2054, 4 December 1907, Page 2

WAI-0-HI-HARORE BLOCK.

DEALINGS AA’IT'H NATIVES. COAIMENTS BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE. At the Native Laud Commission on Alonday Hapi Kiniha, made a complaint that he had received only half of the money due to him as part owner of the AA uiro-hi-harore block, pa it of which had been taken for railway works. The matter was adjourned till yesterday morning to enable Air H. C. Jackson to be present. The Bench was occupied by the Chief Justice only. Air Jackson said that in the first place the block was proclaimed by the Government for the purpose of taking a certain portion for railway purposes. The matter then came before the Compensation Court for the purpose of fixing the price to bo paid liy the Government. Just prior .to the sitting of the Compensation Court an arrangement for sale was filtered into by some of the ■principal owners and the Harbor Board for a certain portion at a price of £550. This .arrangement was still in writing. The Compensation Court awarded £IO7G to the Natives for the land taken for the railway. The Court directed that certain payments be made and this was done, leaving a balance for illdividual 'Natives of £798. The £1076 had been paid to the speaker oil May 7fth 1904, and he had been paying it out over since, having made a payment as late as -Saturday last. He thought the balance mentioned by the Natives was the amount owing by the Harbor Board. He had to make his payments at intervals because the interests of tho Natives wero not defined. He was appointed by tlie Compensation Court to make tho payments to the Natives. The Chief Justice said that if the payments wero made by the order of the Court, the Government should he charged for it and not tho Natives.

•Air Jackson said the Native Land Cburt had ordered the payments, his remuneration to be fixed by ibe Court. Tho Chief Justice said lie knew of nothing enabling tho Court to Vlo so. Mr. Jackson said it was only in 1905 that the shares of the Natives were determined. His Honor said that in all native matters throughout the country he found a great deal of delay, although perhaps the Natives greatly contributed towards the deiiv. In. the Public AVorks Act it was st-t out tliat Natives must bo paid v ithin a month for all land taken, after which date they could charge 5 rer. Cent interest on the money. He U:d not know of any provision in the Jaw allowing anybody to chargo for paying the money. Air Jackson should apply to the Native -epavtment for payment for clerical work in paying out the money. •

Mr. Jackson said Kiniha had 14 shares. The Natives knew ho lir.d been appointed to pay the money and each was paid when he made application. The Compensation Court said it could do nothing regarding the Harbor Board’s arrangements. The Natives had frequently applied to him for Harbor Board money..

Kiniha said lie had only been jiaid bait he was entitled to.

His Honor said this was probably accounted for by the fact that expenses in the matter absorbed £1377Alr Chrisp appeared on behalf of the Harbor Board and explained tlie position to His Honor. The Chief Justice said that if Hie Harbor Board failed soon to Take action there would lie trouble ahead. The matter could he put in order with a private Act of Parliament. He advised the Natives to write -o the Government and see what could bo done. The representatives of tlie owners present said they would do so, and ■tlie matter dropped, the Commission adjourning till 10 o’clock tlie following morning.