KING COUNRTY ITEMS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 97, 28 August 1908, Page 5

KING COUNRTY ITEMS.

o Questions in Parliament. Mr Jennings asked the Minister in charge of the Advances to Sttlers Office whether leases of Maori lands, approved and indorsed by Maori Land Boards and registered under the Land Transfer Act, are a sufficient class of security for settlers to obtain loans from the Advances to Settlers Office? [Note. — The amending Act of last session gave the Board extended powers but settlers cannot ascertain whether the Advances to Settlers Office will accept the securities above mentioned.] The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Minister in Charge of Advances to Settlers Office, replied: In reply to the honourable gentleman, I have to say that "Land held under lease from a Maori Land Board under 'The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905,' provided the Board or other person in whom the land is vested joins in the mortgage for the purpose of securing the due payments of the instalments," is an eligible security under the Act, and advances are being made on the security of such leases; but leases of Native land from the Maoris, approved and indorsed by Maori Land Boards and registered under the Land Transfer Act, are not included in the class of eligible securities upon which the Department is authorised to make advances. There is no objection, however, to such leases being added to the classes ox eligible securities, provided that such leases contain covenants and conditions similar in all respects to those contained in leases from the Crown in respect of right of renewal, compensation for improvements, and conditions of forfeiture. Mr Jennings asked the Native Minister whether he will add either a Maori or Pakeha resident to represent the Taumarunui-Ohura district on the Maniapoto-Tuwharetoa Maori Land Council? [Note. —The present representation on the Council is not well balanced, as a large portion of the district adjudicated upon is practically unrepresented. ] The Hon. Mr Carroll, Native Minister, replied: The Maori Land Boards, as constituted under "The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905," consists of a President and two members. The Boards are appointed for three years. The matter will receive attention when re-appointments are under consideration.