DISPOSAL OF NATIVE LANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1920, Page 2

DISPOSAL OF NATIVE LANDS

(Per Press Association.)

GISBORNE, July 7

The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the Native grievance in connection with tile alleged confiscation of land on the- l’atntahi block has concluded its sitting. The claims are the sequel to the HauHau raid in 18G6. A number of natives joined the Hnu-Han forces with the reult -that the Government nad to take action with the assistance of the local natives to suppress Hau-hau-ism. After the. rising and its .suppression the Government wanted local natives to give some of,their land asjbompensation, in return for assistance the rendered, and in which friendly natives as far north as Tokomaru and 1 as far South as Napier participated. After various meetings the natives agreed to cede the Government the land of the whole of the Natives, about •50,000 acres, a portion to be used for military purposes and the balance to go to native allies and loyalists. It is now alleged that the latter part of the agreement had not been carried, a fact unknown till 1870 when the land was sub-divided for sa]e, After various petitions to Parliament a Royal Commission was appointed,After si- lengthy address by Captain Pitt at the inquiry and the evidence of natives some very old chiefs, Judge Jones announced that the proceedings would he. adjourned until the Commissioners reached Wellington,