THE MOKAU LANDS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 64, 6 September 1911, Page 2

THE MOKAU LANDS

THE ENQUIRY CONTINUED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. The Mokau enquiry was continued this morning. -> The examination of Mr. Hardy, surveyor, was continued. With regard to Mr. Bell's statement that he was prevented from attending the meeting of the assembled owners, witness road telegrams from Mr. Bell saying he (Mr. Bell) would be greatly relieved if his attendance at the meeting was unnecessary. He later wired that he would not attend the meeting. Witness was against the sale of the block. lie was asked to take shares in the company being formed in February, to work coal on the next block to Mokau and acquire Mokau if the primary venture was successful. I>ut refused. He believed the capital of the company was £IOO,000. The natives got £25.000 in cash and €2500 in shares for the block. The last meeting of owners unanimously favored sale.

To Sir James Carroll: The price paid for the Mock was a very fair one. He would not have given half the amount. To Mr. Ngata-. He had no communication with any members of the Government in the matter.

To Sir. Seddon: The coal prospects on the Mokau .block were, from an economical way of speaking, not worth anything; the lime deposits were poor, and he bid never heard of gold on th-> block. He was considerably out of pocket over the part he had 'played. The committee, adjourned till 10.30 tomorrow.