WEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 225, 16 September 1908, Page 4

WEST COAST SETTLEMENT RESERVES.

' reply to a question l'y Air Okey MA'., to Wihilher the Coveruuieni, will 'make some provision wlu-ivtiy a number of teuauw under the \\e»v Coast Settlement lteserves Ac-t, wi>'» did not take the necessary steps durtlie tiiu-e allowed for exieiuluig llieir leases, may have the right ol doin*' so in some way that will he lair to tlie natives and themselves. _ The 'Minister said:—'"Under th« provisions of the Vest Coast Settlement Kesi-rvw Aft repealed hy the Act of 1592, setlion 7 oi the 1802 Aet validated all leases previously granted. Clause (k) of subsection (3) of section is oi Tile West Coast Settlement lieserws Aet, 181J2, gave all suell leases the option of surrendering their leases within one war from the date of that Aet and obtaining fresh leases. Section 10 ol The Natives Reserves Act Amendment \et JS'.tr). further extended that period for' three years. Again, in 1S!)K by section 20 of the Unserves. Ivndownients, and Crown and Native l.ainls ICxeiiaugc, Sale, Disposal anil Iviiabling Act. the time allowed was exu-nd.-il foi another two years, so that all ~ at the time of the passing of the West Coast Reserves Act, ISII2, had the option for six years of surrendei i.ig their leases and obtaining new leases under that Act. Circulars were »e:il l,y registered letter lo lessees, liiformiii" them of Ih-e extension, and nolle-.-wa* "iven tiieni by advertisements and locals' ill tire district iiew*pjipcr<. A moo,l many of the lessees availed them selves of tire privilege of doing so. Ihe natives interested are 'now strongly opposed to any more perpetual leases h.-ii!-. "ranted of their lands. IMrere is douUt as to whether the right of p-avwal is to lie for twenty-oil-' or Iliirtv one or two terms, and wiiethe:' 0-,.- renewals are to be for iwciity-o.k-or ; liirtv years. The l'ublic Trustee is now ''cttiug the opinion of the Supreme Court on this point without, expense to the lessees. They have lieen fairly 'irented, ami tile Ciovern-nr-.il cannot fiirlher extend the lime already given."