KING COUNTRY TOWNSHIPS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 425, 23 December 1911, Page 5

KING COUNTRY TOWNSHIPS.

.«- THE QUESTION OF FREEHOLD. At the committee meeting of the TeK uiti Chamber of Commerce last week the question of persons who had applied to the Maori Land Board for the freehold of their sections in Te Kuiti and district, and who had been refused was discussed. The chairman said he did not see why they should not be able to get the freehold on a fair basis. The town wa-* growing in value every day. H° quoted the Mokau-Mohakatino block, which was valued at £50,000, and secured for £20,000 by reason of the fact that there were 30 years lease to run, and he failed to see why a similar proposition could not be applied to Te Kuiti. Instances were given where natives who had farms wanted to sell their town interests in order that they might invest their money in their farms, not allowed by the board to transact the sale. One gentleman related that he had spoken to Mr W. 11, Bowler, president of the board, in regard to why he had been refused his application, and got the reply that he (the president) did net want to see the town a public freehold

Several of those present were of the opinion that the natives talked big prices because the Government backed them up. It was resolved to communicate with the borough council, and ask them to frame a resolution in connection with the matter, and also to co-operate with the chamber.

it was resolved to forward some concrete facts to both the Prime Minister and Mr Massey and to a3k them to do something in the matter. It was further decided that both leaders should b°. informed that the people meant business, and that no stone would be left unturned to attain the object.