THE MOKAU LANDS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 73, 16 September 1911, Page 2

THE MOKAU LANDS

YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. At the Mokau enquiry, Mr. Dalziell,- 1 continuing his evidence, said that the', transaction practically was that Mr. { Lewis 'bought for £39,000 and sold fori £71,000 and 450 shares in the company,'

and for thirty years will receive rent for 7000 acres at present leased. The alienation clause in the Act provides that the block may only be disposed of in areas complying with the requirements of the Native Land Act. Mr. Bowler will receive a small remuneration from the company while he acts as trustee. This had been done after consulting with the Under-Secretary for Native Affairs (Mr. Fisher) and the SolicitorGeneral. The remuneration is to be £5 per month. Mr. Dalziell, replying to Mr. Massey, said that the latter's written statement, handed! in at the opening of the enquiry, was correct except that it was "in pursuance of" and not "in accordance of" the provisions of the Act, that the Order-in-Council was. applied for. Witness admitted that without un Order-in-Council Mr. Lewis could only hawe obtained 3000 acres. The board did not confirm the sale until aftei the gazette authorising it was issued. When ths company acquired the estate they had then acquired the Stubbs estate of 14,000 acres, including coal rights, <on the opposite side of the river.

To Mr. Dive: If the company did not subdivide in three years they could apply for an extension of time. The fact that Mr. Bowler was being paid by the company would not influence him aa president of the land board in extending the time. There was no question of payment when Mr. Bowler first .became trustee. It was the Solicitor-General who suggested that Mr. Bowler should be paid. Mr. Hermann Lewis, whose evidence was interrupted earlier in the -week by his illness, continued his testimony. ■Replying to Mr. Herries, witness said some of the natives came to him in 1908 and wanted to sell for £15,000. That was witness' first connection with the affair. . Witness was prepared two years ago to sell to the Government for £28,000. Witness retained 7000 acres for himself. To Mr. Massey, witness said he had been paid by the company for 40,000 acres. He had not attempted to sell his 7000 acres, nor had he received an offer for it. Witness' shares in the company cost him £I2OO. The committee adjourned till next Wednesday.