WEST COAST LEASES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 89, 13 April 1912, Page 8

WEST COAST LEASES.

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. (i’er Press Association.) Wellington, April 13. Dr. McAitlmr, S.M., of Wellington, and Mr W. Kerr, S.M., of Wanganui, hare been appointed a commission to enquire (1) On what terms the lessees of the West Coast Settlement Native. Reserves, or any of them, should be permitted to surrender their present leases and obtain new leases in,lieu therefore under section 8 of the Most Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1808. (2) Whether any of the said lessees have- been misled by any ’ act of the Public Trust Department, or the form of the lease issued, or the regulations made under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881, or its amendments, into believing that there was no limit to the amount of the comueusaf im to v, liich tney were entitled under their leases, , and in consequence of such belief made on their leaseholds, or purchased from other lessees, improvements in excess of five (£5) per acre. (S) What areas of land now leased under the. West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881, and its amendments, may hereafter be required by the hat' live owners for their use and occupation, and, having regard to their particular interests therein and; theila individual fitness for profitably using such lands, which of the said leases, if any, should he allowed to remain under the present tenure in order that such native owners may, on the expiration of such leases, compete for tho possession of the lands held under them. (4) What provisions should' bo made to enable such native owners to get financial assistance from the Government to enable them to work their farms, should any of them become tenants of such leaseholds. Dr. McArthur is chairman of the commission, which has to report not later than June 29.