MOKAU LANDS COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 61, 2 September 1911, Page 2

MOKAU LANDS COMMISSION

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. At the Mokau Committee this morning the examination of Mr. Bowler was continued. Replying to • Mr. Herries, witness said he had been president ol the Maori Land Board since April last year. The first offer by Mr. .Lewis for the block was £25,000, or such greater sum as might be estimated by the Government valuation. The applications for the Order-in-Council were signed' by the solicitors for the natives and the solicitors for Mr. Lewis. There was no desire expressed by the natives that the negotiations should he discontinued. The first intimation that the sale was to be to a company was at the last meeting, when shares to the value of £2500 were offered. The agreement between the company and the natives gave the president of the Land Board power to cut up and sell the land by public auction if the company did not subdivide and settle it within three years. The purchase money was paid 'by cheque for £25,000, signed by Messrs. Findlay and Dalziell. Witness signed the transfer, but did not know if it had l>een registered. Witness, as president of the Maori Land Board, signed the transfer to himself as trustee, this being done to ensure that the land would be subdivided. To Mar. Dive: The land was to he out up within three years, but the Board had power to extend the time if good reasons were shown.

To Mr. Jennings: He had heard the company had a staff of surveyors at present on the block for the purpose of cutting it up and raiding it. Re-examined by Mr. Massey: He did not know that the present owners under the agreement had the right to retain mineral rights. The £2500 worth of shares represented' 250 fully paid up shares. The Board thought £25,000 was sufficient consideration for the land without the shares.

E. H. Hftrdy, surveyor, Te Kuita, examined by Mr. Massey, said that in November, 1910, he- was approached by one of the native owners to assist in an application for partition. Later the natives asked him to look into the whole matter and advise them. At a private meeting of owners at Mokau all present were opposed to the sale of the Hock. The committee adjourned till Tuesday.