POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Patea Mail, 31 July 1882, Page 3

POLITICAL GOSSIP.

NATIVE RESERVES and GOVERNMENT

The question- of the native reserves in Taranaki came up incidentally in the salary vote of “ the Agent, £600.” It appears part of his duties .were on the Middle Island, and greater portion in Taranaki. Mr Kelly said this arrangement was an absurd one. There was more work than one man could do to deal quickly with the native reserves in Taranaki, and that great injury would be inflicted on the district and on the colony in not pushing those lands into the market, so that they could be leased on fair terms.

Subsequently, on another vote, Mr Kelly said he hoptd to see these : lands locally administered by the Land Board, as it involved some 100,000 acres at least which the Public Trustee. could not properly deal with ; but as it was necessary to deal with it at once, he hoped the administration would be conducted on-the spot, and not at Wellington, Major Atkinson said the matter would be dealt with as speedily as possible, but as Sir William Pox had not handed over the lands, no action could be taken by the Public Trustee.' ;!; Mr Kelly also asked if there was any appeal from the decisions of Sir W, Fox with respect, to natives who were not satisfied with his decision with respect to their claims to reserves. The Native Minister replied that the responsibility rested on the Government, and,the power must alsb be vested-'with the Government'; consequently, if any native did not obtain what he considered the Government would inquire if an appeal were made before; the; issue of the grant. Colonel Trimble said a great deal of delay had been occasioned jby old,defective surveys that had to be done over again, and the whole matter was one of survey as regards getting the reserves quickly in the market. Major. Atkinson promised that there 1 should be no difficulty as regards surveyors if that was an obstacle to tiie progress of thc woi Ic. Tt Js therefore probable that the dealing with these reserves will be grappled with, and placed in the market as quickly as possible.— Cor. Tar. Herald.