The King Country

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 348, 7 February 1908, Page 2

The King Country

VISIT OF THE MINISTER FOR LANDS. NATIVE-OWNED TOWN SECTIONS. Tbe Hon. R. M‘Nab, Minister for Lauds, arrived at Te Kuiti from Hamilton by the express on Tuesday evening. Messrs Boddie and Ormsby brought forward tbe matter of township improvements, and requested the support of the Minister in anplyiog for a subsidy for a loan for tbe purpose of street formation. It was pointed oat that the town sections were native owned, and were held on lease by the occupiers for a term of 21 years, with revaluation nt Jhe end of that termThe streets had be< n surveyed, bat nothing had been done towards forming them, and no provision been m>de for the native owners to assist in tie work. The lessees were saddled with'he whole cost of forming and maiutnuiog streets end iff otiug other town improvements, and when tha sections were greatly enhanced iu valae by reason of the lessees enitrpri«e t both pablio'y and privately, the occa piers would be forced to pay a maob higher rental.

Mr M‘Nab expressed considerable astonishment at the existence of such a ienure, and dwelt upon tbe f«e r that tbo Government, in granting a sab-tidy to the loan, would be virtually improving the property for the benefit ot th*’ native owners, who would reap a big harvest at tbe end of the 21 years. It was pointed oat that the lessees wereiu a most unfortunate position, which bad been created by tbeGovern me nt in dealing with the native own era. The people who were coming to live ia the town were making the values, and by making improvements were making a rod for their own backs.

Mr Ormsby urged that tbe restric tioua should Ise removed from the town sections in order to allow people to deal direoily with the owners for the freehold. Artempts bad been made to indace the Government to acquire the township lands, but nothing in that direction bad been done.

Mr M‘Nab said he would go carefully into the matter witli a yiew to acquiring a full knowledge of the subject. The state of things, ih presented to bimp <roriaiDlyretpire4aUeißioQ r