Visit of the Land Board.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 247, 23 February 1906, Page 2

Visit of the Land Board.

TO THIS KAWHIA DIBTBIOT. For the purpose of viewing backblock settlement the Auckland Land Board recently decided to pay a visit of inspection to portions of the King Country, and on Monday last a start was made from Auckland. The party —which comprised Mr Jas. Mackenzie (Commissioner of Crown Lands), Messrs Greenslade, Harris and Armstrong (members Auckland Land Board), Mr Leakey (secretary), Mr Burd (District Road Engineer) and Mr Bankart (Roads Department) —arrived here per coach on Thursday afternoon, the Commissioner and Member being immediately beseiged with complaints, requests, etc., all of which were patiently listened to At 8 p.m., a deputation from the County Council (Ors M’Oardle, Jonathan, Armstrong and the clerk. Mr Newton) waited on the Commissioner. Ur M'Oardle was the chief speaker j and brought forward the following matters: The legalising of the beach as a road and Leithardt street, Kawhia, to enable tbe holders of native leases to get a title; the legalising of the Lemon Point road ; the question of the Government granting a £ for £ subsidy on loans raised by the settlers to form and metal roads in the district ; the expenditure of votes granted last session; the matter of the Government supplying the county office with maps; the acquiring of native lands for settlement; the fact of the drift sand encroaching so rapidly ; tbe necessity for the extension of the Awaroa road for another mile and ahalf, so that ail the settlers would have road access to their sections; ' tbe necessity of cutting up into small sections a forfeited section of 1746 acres at Awaroa; the preservation of Rakaunui as a scenic reserve. Cr Armstrong urged that the thirds due to certain sections at Oparau be expended in metalling about 15 chains in front of Messrs Sobye and Newton’s section ; that the road from Oparau to the Ferry be oonetruoted ; also the construction ot 40 chains of road to connect the Oparau block with the main coach road, which would save at least six miles. Or Jonathan asked that the road along tbe Aotea Harbour be surveyed; that tbe Taumatotara block of native land, which separated Awaroa from Kinohaku, be aoquired by the Government.

Mr Mackenzie, in reply, eaid that he did not see any great difficultly in legalising the roads referred to by Mr M‘oardte. Hew&a in Cavour of &U main roads bring formed and metalled The expenditure ot votes placed on the estimates was for the Roads Depart* meet, but he would see that the maps were supplied to the County office. Tbe question of the acquiring ot native land was a big one, and he was preparing a rough estimate of the cost, etc., and would want the assistance of tbe council in this matter. There ehoula be something done to stop the encroachment of sand, but he would bave to look up the Act on the matter. The matter ot sub-dividing the section at Awaroa he could not agree with, in face of reports to the contrary that had been received. The Idea of preserving scenery met with his entire approval. In reference to the matter of expending thirds, he would not go bfibind the local bodies. Thirds be did not agree with, as too much money wm dribbled away. The question of the roade referred to by Or Armstrong would be considered, but he did not agree to surveying the road to Pakoka whilst there was such a lot of works of greater importance. The interview concluded by Or M'Oardle thanking the Commissioner for hie patient hearing. On Friday morning the visitors were taken to Rakaunui, Te Kauri and Awaroa in Mr Morgan’s launch. The Commissioner expressed delight at the scenery, and stated that he intended recommending that a considerable area at Rakaunui and along either side of the Awaroa be reserved. Asked did he see much native land, Mr Mackenzie replied : “ Yes ; far too much.” We confidently anticipate that a great amount of good will result from the visit.