THE PATETERE BLOCK.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2092, 6 November 1880, Page 2

THE PATETERE BLOCK.

[By Tblbsbaph.] OSOII OUB OWK COBBESPOIfDBIfT.J WELLINGTON, November 5. I have authority for stating that a decision has at leneth been arrived at in respect to the Patetere block, Waikato, about which thsre has been so much talk and writing during the last few months. You will remember that the Government resolved to discontinue purchasing Nativo lands, chiefly owing to financial difficulties, and to withdraw the proclamation affecting that land on the money already advanced being refunded by the Native owners. Application has now been received from Mr " Martin Chapman, ss solicitor to the principal Native owners, that the Q-overnment should accept such refund either in cash or in land, the latter to bo in a block or blocks of average quality, assigned by the Native Land Court as representing the Q-overnment interests in the land, the proclamation then to be withdrawn. Th Government finding that the sittics; of that Court will take place at Cambridge on January 24th neit, when such matters should be dealt with, have resolved to give public notice that the Patetere proclamation will be removed on February 3rd following. Thie will allow ten days to perfect the title of the Government to the block assigned by the Court, so that should any unforeseen difficulty arise to prevent a clear title being obtained, the proclamation can be reimpoßed. The Chief Surveyor at Auckland will be instructed to select suitable land within the

blocks which hare passed through the Court to represent the value of the Government advanoef, and it is believed that there will be no objection to the acquirement of this land by the Grown. After the removal of the proclamation on February 3rd, the remainder of the Patetere block will be open for purchase by private individuals according to law. The present arrangement is made solely and exclusively with the Native owners, irrespective of any private persons or companies, and the block to be assigned to the Government will be sold on terms highly favorable to settlement by European industrial population. It is also, perhaps, not generally known that the Patetere Land Company is bound by its articles of association to sell 25 per cent, of its land on deferred payments for bona fide settlement, and the balance either by publio auction or under provisions for a special settlement. The Government, however, have no arrangements whatever with this or any other company, and have purposely allowed the long notice of three months before removing the proclamation in order to defeat land sharking and give all genuine settlers a fair chance.