PETITION FOR SUBDIVISION OF NATIVE LEASES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8475, 29 June 1907, Page 5

PETITION FOR SUBDIVISION OF NATIVE LEASES.

The following petition has been signed by a large number of Masterton residents: — To the Hon. the Speaker, and Members of the House of Representatives : We, the"undersigned residents of Masterton and surrounding district, respectfully invite your attention to the large area of native lands, a considerable part of which is suitable for close settlement, now held on leases which will shortly expire. The land we refer to comprises the following blocks: Mairi-iri-Kapua, 835 acres; Matapihi, 916 acres; Okurupete K No. 1, 443 acres; Okurupete K No. 3, 1,720 acres; Okurupete B No. 2, 567 acres; Okurupete B No. 2, 930 acres; Okurupete B No. 3, 296 acres; Okurupete B'No. 4, 1,197 acres; Karumahinong, 600 acres; not described, 2,061 acres; total, 10,147 acres. JS early the whole of these lands have been leased for twenty-one years to three lessees, and we understand the leases will expire in five years.. The land is difficult of access because there are no roads and it is very slightly improved. Some of it is good graingrowing country; a large portion being][well watered and alluvial would make good dairy farms, and would hold a considerable population. Land in this district is scarce and dear, and the sub-divisjpn of these native blocks would add greatly to the value of our exports. We, therefore, pray that you will lake the necessary steps to remove the control of this fine property from lessees who are doing very little with it, and place it in suitable sized homesteads at the disposal cf the people, who, in many cases, are landless.