NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1563, 30 September 1886, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Progress,

Mr Alexander .Mackay, Nattyo ; Com* missioner, arrived in Temuka by the express train last Tuesday, accompanied' by the Rev. G, P. Mutu, of Kaiapoi. The object of his visit was to explain to the natives the proper manner of bringing them lands before the Native Land Court undfer the Act passed last session, entitled The Native Equitable Owiers Act. The object of the A.ct is to enable persona having a claim to reserves to make application to the Court, so'as to ascertain the conditions of the titles issued to certain persons under the Native Land Act 1865, and whether these lands were vested in the ten persona in whose favor the grants were issued, or whether any trust- was imposed, and, if so, to declare who were the persons beneficially entitled. He also holds a commission for the purpose of enquiring into allegations wade by, and on behalf of, the natives of the southern portion of the South Island, that many of them are insufficiently or wholly unprovided with land. This enquiry will be held immediately after the sitting of the Native Lands Court, So as to save the trouble of reassembling again here. The Court will open at Kaiapoi on the 15th of October, and after dealing with all claims in that locality will then adjouri to Little R'ver, after which it will ait here. In addition to the above, Mr Mackay is empowered to enquire into and report sa to whether any of the natives interested (held under the Commission appointed in the year 1879 to investigate and enquire into certain matters'- pertaining to the purchase of land in the South Island), are willing or desirous of accepting'a grant, of land in final settlement of any claim or demand on the Government for the nonfulfilment of any of the terms and conditions of the said: purchase, or of any pro-. ; mises made in connection therewith. Mr Mackay immediately on arrival pioceeded to the. pah, and. explained the object of hie visit, and also gave any information the natives stood in heed of. He was there again yesterday in connection with the same matter, and will proceed to-day to Waikawaiti on a similar mission. Ha will-call at the other settlements on his way north. ;