The Land Commission.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 211, 2 June 1905, Page 2

The Land Commission.

VISIT TO THE KAWHIA DISTRICT. Five members ot the Royal Commission set up by the Government to

enquire into the workings of the various land laws, are at present in Kawhia collecting evidence from the settlers of the district. The Commission sat at Te Awamutu on Tuesday and afterwards drove to Te Raa-a-moa, the journey not being particularly enjoyable on account of the bad road. The gentlemen comprising the Commission are—Messrs R. Hall (chairman)) W. W. M'Cardle, G. W. Forbes, Mathisson and M'Lennan. They were tccompanied by Messrs Mackenzie (Commissioner of Crown Lands), Harris and Greens la de (members of the Auckland Land Board), Ewen (Crown Lands Ranger), Munro (secretary), and three reporters from the Hansard staff. Te Rsu-a-m-ja was reached about noon, and after lunch evidence was taken at Mr Randalls residence. A large number of settlers were in a tendance, and keen interest was taken in the proceedings. The first witness called was

James Edward Noonan, who said that be and bis brother held 1254 acres under the O.R.P. tenure, with which they were satisfied. In connection with land boards, he was in fa vour of seven members instead of five as at present. He did not think the Government kept their promises as to p-oviding roads. Sydney Clarke and G. F. B arton, who £o!d O R.P. land, were satisfied with theii tenure, whilst Josiah Easy, a holder of 433 acres L I P., wanted the freehold.

Arthur Ormsby gave evidence as to ragwort, and stated that the weed was introduced there by the Government. Crown and native land were being overrun with the weed, and he considered that both should be just as liable as the settlers. He would agree to the State taking the native lands, and dealing with them, reserving the proceeds ter the natives. He did not think there was anything better for the natives. They should have a voice in the matter.

The Land Commissioners had an exceedingly damp trip from Te Awamutu to Kawhia, but even eight hours of pelting and driving rain did not prevent them from thoroughly enjoying and enthusing over the sylvan scenery between Te Riu-a moi and Oparau. The Commission visited Kinohaku yesterday (Thursday), and beard the evidence of Messrs Stanley and John Shaw. We cannot do justice in this issue to the evidence given, but will publish it in our next, together with some comments thereon.