MOKAU LANDS COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 60, 1 September 1911, Page 2

MOKAU LANDS COMMISSION

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, Yesterday. The Mokau Committee resumed its I sittings this morning. Mr. Greenslade commented on an interview with Mr. Massey, published in. the New Zealand Herald, in which n, statement was made that, the enquiry was proceeding slowly, but, as the committee was composed of nine Government members and only three Opposi-' tion, the result was a foregone conclusion. Mr. Greenslade expressed resentment at the statement, Walter Harry Bowler, president of the Native Land Board, said that on, the application of Mr. Dalziell, on behalf of Mr. Herman Lewi9, witness convened, oil January 0, a meeting of the owners of the block, numbering 10 in all. There were 40 natives at the first ; meeting, and of those 20 were against the sale to Mr. Lewis. A sub-clause of the Act empowered the Native Minister to have a meeting convened. At the first meeting the majority of the owners, representing 30,000 acres, were in favor of the sale. Witness did not know of any case where the board hail sanctioned the sale if one df the owners dissented. The second meeting was held on March 10, Mr. Dalziell being present. This meeting was adjourned to March 22, Judge Holland' taking witness' place. The Mokau moneys were paid out in two cheques each on June 1, one cheque representing the 10 per cent, -which the natives wished witness to hold to cover legal expenses, etc. This was done at the natives' own unanimous' .request, and witness held this money npw, excepting £270, of which £l7O had been paid to Mr. MacDonald and £IOO to another agent. Andrew Eketone had asked witness for some money on account, but witness had not paid him. Witness produced a statement of accounts by agents, ineluding Mr. Hardy's, for £373. Mr. Bowler said that only three of the committee of natives, so far as he knew, had claims against the 10 per cent, he was holding as trustee. He could not account for the fact that, a letter written by Mr. Jones on the 11th did not reach him till the. 22nd. lie received a wire from Mr,' Dalziell, informing him that the Order-in-Coun-cil had lieen made. He verified this from the head office, Wellington. Mr. Mussey asked if it was customary to take such information from an individual outside the service. Mr. Bowler: Certainly, so long as he is a reputable solicitor. Sir .Tannes Carroll: The Maori Land Board took no action in connection with the meeting of the awioiwbled owners. To Mr. Ngata: The first meeting of the assembled owners took place on January 6, subsequent to the meeting of the Land Board. The board finally decided to recommend tlie issue of ftn application for nlienation. A number of proxies were used at the meeting of natives. It was usual for agents to make claims in connection with obtaining signatures, etc., for the sale of lands. The commission adjourned till tomorrow.