ROTORUA TOWNSHIP LEASES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2720, 17 December 1889, Page 2

ROTORUA TOWNSHIP LEASES.

(l)Y TELEGRAPH. —OWN COIUIKSI'ONDENT.) Wellington, Monday. The Government havo not received any information of the coming lawsuit over the sale of the Rotorua township. On the contrary, they have every reason to suppose that matters are progressing smoothly, as Mr Lewis, of the Native Department, is now on a visit to the district, and has secured 40 more signatures. This leaves only 27 more to bo got, aud none of those standing out hold large interests, while every man of note has signed. It appears thnt it is uot exactly corroct to say that the Rotorua chiefs, mentioned in the Auckland telegram this morning, are bringing an action against the Government for £15,000. An action is contemplated but iio definite amount has been claimed. From particulars supplied by Mr Howorth, of Wellington, who is the solicitor acting for the plaintiffs, it seems that the members of the Ngatiivhalcane tribe who were declared owners of Rotorua by the Native Land Court are not all disposed to sell. First of all they object to the allotment of individual shares made by Judge Cla'k, on the ground that his award was partial and unjust, some obscure persons having actually been awarded more shares thau the chiefs themselves aud they refuse to be bound by this award. Then they complain that the agreement under which the Maoris allowed the township of Rotorua to be formed has never been properly carried out, some lessees were allowed to surrender and others never compelled to complete their leases and arrears have been allowed to accumulate to a large extent. It is claimed that through this a large sum amounting to thousands has been lost to the natives. The original rental (£2,740) has now dwindled to £'259. Plaintiffs also point out that £8,2;t!), the sum for which the Government has bought Rotorua, cannot be considered a fair value for a property, part of which was let for a sum of £2,740 per annum. The other grounds of complaint are that the Government have money in hand, which they refuse to pay over to the natives appointed under original agreement to receive it, and that it is proposed, under the present deed of sale, to release tenants from all back obligations. The parties to the contemplated suit are three chiefs of the Ngatiwhakaue, who represent the whole of the tribe, and the principal heads of their statement of claim are that the Government may be ordered to bring all moneys in hand into court; that an account may be taken of all monies received by the Government; that a return of the leasos may be furnished, distinguishing between those completed, those not executed, and those surrendered ; that the Government may be restrained from purchasing shares of individual natives on the basis of Judga Clarke's award, and, finally, that it may be determined what sum, if any, should be awarded as damages for alleged breaches of agreement detailed above. Mr Howjrth also states that his clients, at the inu' ""Mon of the Government, made an offerou sell the four hot springs districts bf Rotorua, AVhakarewarewa, Tikitere and Waiotapu for £40,000, but the Government then declined to recognise shew, and decided to negotiate with the individual natives direct.