WEST COAST LEASES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 256, 27 March 1914, Page 6

WEST COAST LEASES

MKKTIN'G OF LEASKIIOLDEUS. (From our Opunake Correspondent.) An important meeting of the West Coast leaseholders was helil in tl\e Town Hall on .Monday. About (id leaseholders were present. Mr. T. P. Ilughson, chair man, of the executive committee, presided. Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., if. Okey, M.P., {J. A. Budge (secretary), and E. Maxwell were present. Leaseholders from all parts of Tarauaki attended, Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Okey addressed the meeting 011 legislation passed last session in connection with tlie West Coast Reserves. These members outlined the necessary steps required under the new legislation, Mr. AVilkinson drawing particular attention to ttie fact that it was necessary for the 18S1 lessees to notify the Public Trustee within three months that they intended to accept a renewal for a further term of 10 years. If they failed to comply with the notice they would lose their land. Briefly, tho .ISBI leases now expiring only receive up to £3 per acre for improvements. If the improvement arc valued at £lO per acre they are credited with £5, and pay rent on £5. At tlie end of ten years they get full value for improvements. At the end of that term, if tho natives are willing to sell their interests the Government liave: power to buy, the natives to sell. The Government acquire tho natives' interest and the tenant is given the first right to purchase the freehold of the property or the option of a Crown lease from the Government. The 1892 leaseholders have that option at any time that the native is willing to sell to the. Government. Tlie chairman said spi ial tribute In Mr. Wilkinson for tlie woik lie had done in organising and working in the interests of the leaseholders. Mr. Maxwell said the leaseholders were very fortunate in having representatives in tlie House like Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Okey to represent the district, and the immense amount of work 1 these gentlemen did in assisting a sympathetic Government to get a measure passed through tiie House, bristling with difficulties, was a big business. He spoke of the wisdom of tlie Premier, Minister of Native All airs, and Tarannki members in not being a party from the outset in using compulsion when dealing with the natives' interests. The Bill, I whilst giving an advantage to the leaseholders. also gave an advantage to tha native owners. There was a total absence of any unfair interference with the natives' rights or interests. It was decided that fld per acre be the remuneration paid to the valuator., The chairman called for nominations for the office of valuator and emphasised the necessity of nominators nominating a person who had duly qualified and had a fair show o| receiving a number of votes.

Messrs J. Qiiinn (Eltham). L. E. Jackson and A. 11. Moore (Opunake) were nominated. The audience called for the. gentlemen to "show themselves." The candidates came forward and made appropriate speeches. 'hi a ballot being taken, the result was announced by the chairman as follows:—,!. Quin 40 votes, L. E. Jackson 12, A. 11. Moore 0. The chairman declared Mr. Quin duly elected. Mr. Budge during the meeting was busy taking signatures of applicants for new leases in compliance with the Act.