TOWNSHIP LEASES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 411, 4 November 1911, Page 5

TOWNSHIP LEASES.

COMPENSATION CLAUSES. On Thursday evening at Otorohanga a deputation waited on Mr Jennings in reference to the township leases disposed of by the Maori Land Board in May last. Mr Millar stated that the sections were sold under certain conditions and one was that compensation was to be provided for. When the leases came to hand a number of people signed them without reading them and then found that there was no provision for compensation. Mr Jennings replied that he already had the matter in hand and Sir J. G. Ward and Sir J. Carroll had agreed to sae the matter set right.

Mr Whyte then said that his case was slightly different as he had refused to sign his lease when presented to him as it was not in accordance with conditions of sale, also people had taken up their sections in June and paid, their first half year's rent, but could not utilise their land or borrow money on them on account of the tenure. There would be another half year's rent due before the leases would be properly fixed up and he (MrWhtye) thought the tenants of the board ought not to have to pay rent upon land which they could not utilise.

Mr Jennings said this aspect of the question had not been presented to him before, but he would make representations to the proper quarter in reference to the matter and he requested the deputation to prepare a telegram and he would send it.

Messrs Millar and Whyte later wrote a telegram stating their grievances and Mr Jennings sent it on. On Friday afternoon he received the following reply: "Have through Under-Secretary instructed board to amend leases to comply with notifications. —J. Carroll."