ACQUIRING MAORI LAND

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 8, 3 February 1909, Page 2

ACQUIRING MAORI LAND

A 250,000-ACHE BLOCK. SOO.N READY l'Olt SETTLK.MEXT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Lust Night. 1 The Lands Department luis just scouretl its absolute title to a big area of uativojand in the North Island, which ' is to lie cut up for settlement on the optional system without delay. It is a considerable time since the Crow.i actually arranged the purchase, which comprises quite 250,000 acres in the counties of Oliui'a, Waitomo and West Taupo, but the process of obtaining Maori land is slow. After the individual owners had signed all the deeds and tile purchase was virtually completed, it had to be submitted to the Native Land Court for confirmation. The area is scattered ill 200 blocks, and the position is further complicated by the necessity of securing the, cutting off of areas for non-sellers. Even when this stage was passed there still remained a statutory provision barring action for three months so as to allow time for appeal 'by the native owners if necessary. However, this period lias elapsed, and the Commissioners of Crown Lands in Auckland and Tnranaki have now been instructed to put 011 all their surveyors to cut up the 250,01) acres for close settlement. The blocks have to be carefully explored to ascertain the best road routes, and arrangements will also have 'to be made to provide various means (t access through native lands. Then 'the sections have to be planned out to 'the most advantage. The wotfc has 1 lieen tackled with energy, and ill six > 'months there should lie a large mim- , ber of openings for settlers in this promising area, much of which is served by the North Tsland Main Trunk railway.