REPORT Of SELECT COMMITTEE ON AHURIRI PLAINS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 192, 16 September 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

REPORT Of SELECT COMMITTEE ON AHURIRI PLAINS.

The Select appointed “ to draw up a Resolution to the General Government, to bo transmitted tlifojigli Sis Honor tbo Superintendent, recommending their taking immediate steps to put a stop to illegal squatting on the Ahuriri Plains,” beg to submit the following Resolution for the consideration of the Provincial Council:— That the correspondence between His-Honor the Superintendent and the General Government on the subject of “leasing the Ahuriri Plains for depasturing purposes,” (dated as per margin), gives the Council great satisfaction, as it is an earnest that His Excellency’s responsible advisers are determined not to sanction such illegal occupation : nevertheless the Council sees, with growing serious apprehension, that permanent occupation is really intended —as fencing and stockyards are being vigorously proceeded with. These Plains—having an area of about 80,000 acres, in close proximity to Napier Harbour—are

absolutely needful to the future permanent welfare of the Province, being the only places well adapted for an agricultural community ; they are at present mostly leased for terms of from 14 to 21 years to about 15 persons, who, from their being among the early settlers, are looked upon by the natives as some of the most influential persons in the Province ; and who, it is greatly feared, by their so illegally acting, are the means (unknowingly, it is hoped,) of raising in the native mind contempt for the laws, which spirit all classes of Her Majesty’s subjects have seen the absolute necessity of repressing and putting down. The Council are also strongly of opinion that, if tlip present illegal occupation were put a stop to a considerable portion of these Plains would ere long be acquired for agricultural purposes, cither by direct sales to the Crown, or through the operation of the Native Lands Bill. H. S. TIFPEN, Chairman.