OWNERSHIP OF LAKES.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1920, Page 5

OWNERSHIP OF LAKES.

CONFERENCE WITH ABAWA& . %,! ENDED. '4

SETTLEMENT PROSPECTS HOFEFW;

By Telegraph.—rresi Association

Rotorua, Last Night.

The conference between the Hon. Sir | Francis Bell and the Arawaa regarding 'A the ia iter's claim to tke ownership of \:"1 the lakes was concluded to-day. ,'ia Mr. Earl, counsel for the Arawas; ..?| stated that when the Government aug- i>A gestcd a conference with a view to ia finding a ground whereon the case M could be setlted amicably, Mr. Ngata »' J |l wag called to assist the Arawai ia ■*% framing proposals, who decided that -4 any eettleme/it should take into con» ;'.!s sidcration the Arawas' loyal services, ;$ and that any money awarded, if their 'fi claims were conceded, be devoted to '-$ public utilities for the tribe in second* /• ary schools, nursing homes, asiiitanbft ' <i in farming, and loans for dwelling*, ,;''] Borne differences arose among Arawas regarding these terms, but eventually the scheme was accepted, tb» ' M Rotoiti natives stipulating that matters If of detail be settled at a, conference -rite their rep» ,'sentative, Mr. Brown, |s| :Y?I themselves on January 29. T *\! The Hon. Sir Francis Bell agree! to ;'& this, and said that Mr. Brown claimed ; J the lakes on behalf of the public, was prepared to settle out of Court if -wq the Arawas agreed among tfcemselYßi < / 1 G what they wanted, but if no agreement, / was made, Mr. Brown was prepared to. ' fight. The Crown owed a debt to the ' Arawa9 for their unbroken loyalty. Tht \ sclieme had the merit of subordinating the individual and sub-tribe claims to ," the general good. He could not com*. V, mit the Government, but would sub* mit their proposals to Cabinet. '';

The prospects of a settlement are n* y garded as decidedly hopeful. ;•