NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9151, 25 July 1908, Page 3

NATIVE LAND COMMISSION.

SITTING AT MASTERTON.

A sitting of the Native Land Commission was held at Masterton yesterday, before His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert S.tout), Chief Commissioner. Mr Pitt acted as interpreter. Mr Kuku Karaitiana addressed the commission in regard to some lands held by his family. He said he was interested in Mataikqna, Blocks 11. and 111., Castlepoint District. There were three classes of land leased tj H. T. Hume, the Maoris living on the rent. The Maoris had about a thousand acres in reserves in about 18,000 acre:) owned by them. There were about 200 Native owners, who possesse.l no cattle or sheep, and only a few horses. There was not much cultivation of the Maori lands. There were about seven Maori owners on 900 acres, the rest of the 200 owners living on the other 100 acres. Referring to Mild Miki Block, he asked that section 47, Waipoua, be incorporated with the block his grandfather having ieaaed it to the pre3en*; holder (Cotter). The lease had several yean to run. There were other lands in H iwke's Bay in which his family were interested. Mr H. Smith, solicitor, Fahiatua, brought forward the position of Makirikiri Block, Hastwell, adjoining H istwell Village Settlement. Tne Commissioner asked whether this-was the block referred to him b/ the Eketahuna Chamber of Comiii irce as lan 1 lying waste. Mr Smith replied in the affirmative. He said there were aoout 100 o,vner3 and there was a proposal to cut it up into t'n sections and lease them to four Maori owners, namely, Hona Manihera, (sections 9 and 10), Rimini Tinitara (sections 7 and 8), Ngawhiro Marakaia (sections 5, 6, 4 and 3), and Edna Korou (sections 1 aid 2). These applicants appeared and said they all had means. -The Commissioner informed thim thit they would, if given the land, ba required to pay the rates,.and clear their land of noxious weeds. If they cii.l uot farm it well the Native Minister woull have power to take it back from them. Mr Smith stated, in reply to the Cj:nmissioner, that the whole of the ow.iers interested had not met and agreed upon the proposal, it being almost impossible tj consult them all. The applicants objected to the valuation basi-> of the proposed lease, desiring to pay 5s per acre for rent, on a 5 per cent, basis. Nireaha Tamaki.. chief of the Ngatihamuas, applied for the expenses incurred by him in fencing and puttin x dawn in grass sectio is 1 and 2 in ths block whic'.i tin Goverrimm 1 ; had threatened to take, an! which he had fenced and improved to save the sit - uicion. Erina Korou objected to Tamaki'a application, stating she had occupied th [jiections all through, and Tamaki had dono the fencing without her authority, and in addition 3hu herself 1) id erectel fences. Tne Commissioner said he would have to consider the matter. What s'iull be done was that an independent person should value the improvements made by Tamaki, and a person who knew the condition of the prev.ously existing feuds should give

evidence of their state. f V Mr J. McGrath, silicitor, Welling- ' fir |:on, mentioned the position of) M mgatainoka, Block No. 2, KB.' Fivj hundred acres were leased to H. Udy in 1903. Mr A. V. Udy, a so:i, now wished to purchase the land from the owners, Erina and Ngawh:ro. The Natives were prepared to the transfer if the Commissioner approved of it, the price to ba at £l2 per acre. Mr Udy wai prepared to pay the purchase money to the Public Trustee, or to whomever was ordered. The Commissioner made various ■ inquiries and promised to confer with Mr Ngata and make a recommendation to tb.3 Gover.ior. Mr W. G. Beard applied on behalf of Puraukau Maika for the approval of the Commissioners to the sale of sixty aj:e3 at GUJjwi-3, a« it was too small to farm at sum a distanca from a town. Mr Strang wished to purchase it, the Government valuation being at the rate of £S per acre over the whole block. Applicant wished to lay the money out in the purchase of a farm at Carterton. The Commissioner promised to give the matter consideration. Mr Beard also applied for the approval of a lease to A. A. Cameron of a block of 916 acres in the Kopuaranga Survey District, in Matapihi Block, situated about five mile 3 from Masterton, at Te Ore Ore. The price offered was £274 16s per annum, grazing rights for horses being given the Natives, who lived at Te Ore Ore. Th 3 Commissioner aske.l what - —ij.TJ3 the Natives were keeping for thsnnelves. Mr Bear J replied that ho couli r.ot !4?give the exact area, as owing to the fact of the date of the sitting of the Commission not being knjw.i until a day or two ago insufficient time had been allowed to prepare much data. The Natives livel partly on the rents, and partly on the cropping of what lands they helJ. The land was purely pastoral country, and required a good deal of attention to keep down the noxious wesds and scrub. The Commissioner promised to consider the matter. Mr Beard applied for the approval of the Commission to the re-lease of 322 acres by the same Native owners to G. McKay, at a rental of £1 an acre per annum, the land being situated in Okorupatu, Block A3, subdivision 28. Applicant had been dealing with the Natives for some time, and they had confidence in him. 'ihis matter was also promised due consideration The Commission will sit again today.