NATIVES TAKE ACTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 46, 17 May 1927, Page 13

NATIVES TAKE ACTION

RAILWAY WANTED PREPARED TO BUILD IT Press Association. TAUMARUNUI, To-day. A large meeting of natives of the Ngatituwhareta tribe was held at Kakahi last night to discuss the position in regard to the proposed railway line from Kakahi to Lake Taupo. Mr. M. H. Hampson, solicitor to the natives, outlined the dealings between the natives and the Tongariro Timber Company since 1996, and eventually it was resolved that as the natives could see no possibility of the company fulfilling its obligations the Tongariro Timber Company should be wound up. It was further agreed that the native owners petition Parliament and ask to have their agreement with the company cancelled ; that legislation be passed to incorporate all their lands, and that a board of directors be formed with power to borrow money and build the railway to Taupo. It was stated at the meeting that there were 2,000,000.000 feet of timber in the block, and if this was rated at sixpence per 100 feet it would realise £500,000, which was more than sufficient to build the railway up to the standard required by the Government.

Finally it was resolved that, in the event of the proposal being accepted by the Government, action be taken at once to go on with the proposition and the building of the -railway.