NATIVE LANDS.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1238, 5 June 1880, Page 2

NATIVE LANDS.

A correspondent of a contemporary, wiring 1 from Wellington, gives the following re the Native land Sales Bill: — " Wheu the owners of any lands desire to sell, they shall miko application, to the Liud Board. Tlie Board shall cause the lund to be sold as if Crown land. Tbe gro«s proceeds shall be paid to the receiver of land revenue, who j>h,ill pay it to the public trustee out of the proceeds. The trustee .sh>ill p?,y tho cost of survey, fees of Couifc, cost of ad vei tiding and one per cent. Commision to the recpivci 1 of land revemie, not le-^ tlian ten nor more than thirty, as may be agreed upon by owners of laud, to the Boaids for the making of roads, and the balance to the owners, the purchaser to receive a title under the Land Transfer Act, the laud to be sold under this Act, and in no other way. ■he Natvie Lands Court is to inquire into the tioveroment agreements and make orders accoi ding to the circumstances. Any question of law arising may bo sent to the Supreme Court. This is tho substance of the Native Land Sales Act, which is substantially as pvenguied some time since. I think it somewhat question ble whether, at lea^t for some time to come, the natives will bo inclined to adopt the procedure under the Act, and apply to the Land Boud There will, no doubt, be considerable discussion over the Native Lands Contract Validation Bdl which may be iv tended to cover the Patetere purchase and others in the same position. The Land ales Bill contains the ideas of Mr. Bi) r eo, and not those of Mr. Whitakei. lie. Bryce feels very strongly on the subject."

Rather a Long Bout. — "What will you take for 20 nights at San Francisco ? was the brief telegraphic query which some speculators despatched to Artemus Ward, when the celebrated humorist was in the height of his popularity as a lecturer. " Brandy and water," was the prompt response,