The Horowhenua Block.

Manawatu Herald, 20 December 1894, Page 2

The Horowhenua Block.

♦_ Early in July the Hon, Mr Mitchelson asked the Minister of Lands, in Parliament— From whom waß the 1,500 acres of land in the Horowhenua Block purchased '? Tf the pur-chase-money, or any portion of the money, has been paid by the Government for the land ? Has the title to the land been transferred to the Government ? If not, what is the, position of the title ? If any money was paid— in cash or otherwise ? and if so, to whom was it handed ? He said th&l owing to the question as to the ownership of the Block, no money should be paid to any person until the question is settled. The Minister of Lands' reply is reported in Hansard and is " He would say, in answer to the question, first that the block had been purchased from Warena Hernia, and the whole money was retained by the Government. The title of the Crown to the land was complete, and no money had been paid." In the face of this assertion a sum of £2000 was paid to Hunia, and the Post calls to mind a late electioneering trick. Ifc says — " £500 was paid over by Hunk to a Mr Fraser, who, prior to the election, as the result of an interview in a railway carriage with the Premier, was converted to true Liberalism, and stood as the Ministerial candidate for Otaki in opposition to that pestilent "Conservative," Mr Wik son. A further sum oi £4000 was to have been paid over to Hunia, bat that waa stopped by «m Injunction from the Supreme Court." The Supreme Court has just settled the action, and has declared altogether in Mpjor Kemp's favour, giving cost? on the highest scale against Hernia, and ordering a statement of accounts. The position the Government has taken in this matter is open to grave censure, and much inconvenience is .likely to arise to purchasers of land i •Yoin hr Gnvornuj n< in that i>hck. Mr Fraser ij evidently 10 be congratulated on talcing the political view he did at the last election, and for the fortunate outcome of it. Huniu would appear, by th-_* Supreme Court's judgment to be now in anything but a satisfactory position to repay past obligations. This will be put to the test when he accounts for the £2000 already and wrongly paid by the Government. The settlers in that district should take early steps to ascertain the position they are in, or ejectment notices may be served upon them by the rightful owners. They at any rate should get their position defined by the Government.