THE WEST COAST LEASES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 243, 13 April 1912, Page 8

THE WEST COAST LEASES

COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY. Wellington, April 11. Dr. McArthur, S.M. of Wellington, and Mr. W. Kerr, S.M. of Wanganui, have been appointed a commission to enquire (1) On what terms the lessees of the West Coast Settlement Native Reserves, or any of them, should be permitted to surrender their, present leases and obtain new leases in lieu "therefor under section 8 of the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1802. (2) Whether any of the said lessees have been misled by any act of the Public Trust Department, or the form of the lease issued, or the regulations made under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1991, or its amendments, into believing that there was no limit to the amount of the compensation to which they were entitled under their leases, and in consequence of such belief made pn their leaseholds, or purchased from other lessees, improvements in excess of five (£5) per acre. (3) What areas of land now leased under the West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1881, and its amendments, may hereafter be required by the native owniers for their use arid occupation, and, having- regard to their particular interests therein and their individual fitness for profitably using such lands, Which of the said leases, if any, should be allowed to remain under the present tenure in order that such native owners may, on the expiration of such leases, compete for the possession of the lands held under them. (4) What provisions should be made to 'enable such native owners to get financial assistance from the Government to enable them to work their farms, should any of them become tenants of such leaseholds. Dr. McArthur is chairman of the commission, which has to report not later than June 29. [ " =====