THE NATIVE RESERVE.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 997, 6 October 1871, Page 2

THE NATIVE RESERVE.

The leaseholders of land on the Maori Reserve were waited on yesterday by Messrs G. Perotti and J. Arnotfc, to obtain signatures to the following petition, in favor of selling the land on the Native Reserve, and which was numerously signed by the principal residents and business firms in Greymouth. The petition will lie at the office of the Grey River Argus to-day for signature, prior to being forwarded by the Tararua to Wellington : — " To the Honorable the House of Representatives of the Colony of New Zealand in Parliament assembled. " The humble petition of the undersigned leaseholders of the Native Reserves of Greymouth, sheweth — " That your petitioners are leaseholders of the Native Reserves of Greymouth. " That the largest and most valuable part of the said town of Greymouth is built upon the Native Reserve. " That the buildings upon the said Reserve have been put thereupon by your petitioners at a considerable expense, aid the leaseholders are regarded in equity as the owners of the buildings. " That your petitioners are compelled to pay a heavy ground rent, and are only enabled to obtain leases for terms not exceeding twenty-one years, which said leases contain very stringent clauses and covenants, whereby the progress and improvement of the town is greatly impeded. " That your petitioners are desirous that the land which they hold under their leases should be sold to them, so thatthey may possess the fee simple thereof. " Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your honorable House will be pleased to cause a Bill to be introduced empowering the sale of the Native Reserves of Greymouth to the leaseholders thereof, as respectively held by them; and that the value of* the land be fixed by a commission to bo appointed in manner provided by the said BUI. "And your petitioners will ever pray."