MOKAU REPORT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 October 1911, Page 3

MOKAU REPORT.

CHARGES DISPIiOVED

[PER PREBB ASSOCIATION.! WELLINGTON, October .19. The report on the enquiry regarding tlie transactions of tho Government in connection with tho Mokau Mohakatino blocks was presented ■by the Chairman of the Native Affairs Committee this afternoon. The committee prefaced its report with a' summary of the statement mode in the House some weeks ago by Sir .Tames Carroll, then Acting-Premier and the statement made by Mr Massoy at the opening of the enquiry. Tlie committee- found that the statement of Sir James Carroll correctly sets out tho facts, relating to the Government's % . association with tho transaction, and Mr Massoy's statement correctly sets out the facts referred to by him, and is in agreement with the statement of tho'"Government, except ns to three minor matters. (1). He suggested that the limitation provisions of the Native Land Act wero avoided by tho issiio of an Order in-Council, whereas in fact the Ordcr-in-Council was issued in accordance with such limitation provisions. (l>). The statement to tho effect that tile meeting of native owners was not properly representative was disproved. (3). The statement to tho effect that tho company or members of the company will possess practically a monopoly of coal bearing areas on the West' Coast of the TaranakilProvincial District was disproved. The only additional facts winch tho committee deems it necessary to refer to, the report continues, are that the lessee finally acquired the interest of the natives in tho blocks for the sum of £25,000 in cash, and a sum of £2500 in fully paid up shares in a. company ihaving a capital of £100.000 formed to acquire tho Mokan-Mohakatino hlock "and other properties. Mr Herman Lowis. the lessee, sold all his interests in the Moknu-Mohakatino blnck( excepting an area of about 7000 acrc« which nre subject to certain sub-lease to Mason Chambers for the sum of 671.000 in cash, and CtOO in fully paid up sihares in the company. 'I he company purchased from Mason Chambers, paying in cash and -haies in capital the sum of £85,000. The sum paid to natives for their interest in the land was greater titan the actual value of the interests of the natives burdened wiMr the lenses, assuming the purchase of the money obtained by (he lessee to be the I rue value of tho block.

SiiEire-stions ivorf in ado before the committee reflecting upon certain departmental officers concerned in t'liis trnnsaction. but ilio fominittoo is sntisfipc! Hi at tlioso sup;.o;pst : oT. wero on tirely disprovorl.