THE NATIVE RESERVES QUESTION.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 49, 31 January 1902, Page 4

THE NATIVE RESERVES QUESTION.

The Opunake Times published ' the report.of a public meeting held at Rahotu last week, called "to-bring- under tlie notice of ti e Government tlie unsatisfactory position of the township as regards'land tenure. One. side of .tlie. main street being freehold aid the other native land, ueld on short, lease. The result being that leaseholders are disinclined to make any substantial im-: provernents under existing conditions, experience La.ving shown that when selling out no adequate return can be got for the capital ( xpanded, on account of the t-hbrt period o£ lease. ' O wisequently.it is argued that unless the Government take over the, land, the result will be that onty the freehold side will be utilised to any extent, thus making the, township, if .not a one horse, litem 11 v a one- side-of-the-street affair."

After discussion the following res >- lution was passed :• "That this meeting is of opinion, the growth of the township is being seriously retarded by the unsatisfactory nature of the tenure of one half of the sections -comprising the township, and that the Government be asked to acquire these -sections and either sell the ; f reehold . or lease them under lease-in-perpetuity, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Hon. the Minister for Lands."

Commenting upon the question the Times says:—lt was stated at the meeting that all one side of the township is still native land and can only be occupied under lease. For purposes of business large premises are necessary, and these as a security, are next door to valueless owing to the land being only native lea:-ehold. Tins is a serious drawback as Usually men of business require all their capital for turnover m the'r stick., etc. .and having J e m ney represented by buildings locked up hampers them considerably. If the Gevrnment could buy the land and eitlur sell.it for.cash or let it on lease-in-peip.'etuity it would make a great difference to the progress of the township and would be a great incentive to. business men t > make substantial improvements In tlrs case we undei>tind fj.e rat ve owner, or owners, are a xi us to .-ell the la id, and if such 's'the case, it shoivd ma'e the acqu ! sit'on of it much eisier. We have no doubt if the matter is represented to the Government in a proper light they will do what tl.ey can. to meet the ea.-e. * -.

A certain musical peer, who was deeply irritated at the conduct of his guests, who talked loudly while a violinist was playing at a j arty, addre sed them in a loud ■ voice--when the piece was over : ■" Monsieur A. will now play his solo again ; this time, ladies and gei tlemen, without voiir kind _.accompaniment." It would be difficult to say who was most abashed at this action: the guests or the unhappy violinist. ; : Inspect >r M 11 , in his annual report referring- to the fltix industry, says the strippings from flax cintain a most valuable medicine which is a sound remedy for indigestion. Captain Black reports that while the steamer. Pareora. was" passing- Cape Fpulwind last week he saw a. shark about 2oft in length. -■■ ' • , It s stated by the London Chronicle that the Pope has decided to send no deputation to Bondo-i to represent him on thiSoccision of the- c n-bnabion of King!Edward, as the latter abstained from sending any mission t > the "Vatican to announce his access-on to tHe thi-one. ■" - :;• ■"■■•• "■'■'•■'■**-* Sulis-ripthn to the MOTUEKA STAR . — Three Shillings aud Sixpence a Quarter which may begin at any time