G.—3a

1907. NEW ZEALAND.

MAORI LAND PURCHASE OPERATIONS (REPORT UNDER "THE MAORI LAND SETTLEMENT ACT, 1905," FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1907).

Presented tn both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sir, — Department of Lands, Wellington, Ist June, 1907. In accordance with your request of the 9th April, I have the honour to forward herewith a statement of the land-purchase operations which were initiated in May, 1906, under " The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905." I have, &c, William C. Kensington, The Hon. J. Carroll, Minister for Native Affairs, Wellington. Under-Secretary for Lands.

REPORT. In April, 1906, Cabinet decided that extensive areas of Native lands should be negotiated for in such Maori land districts as were not excluded by the schedule to " The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905 " —viz., Tokerau (taking in the country north of the City of Auckland and extending to the North Cape) and Tai-rawhiti (taking in the area extending from the East Cape to some little distance south of Wairoa, Hawke's Bay)—and, with your full approval, that such operations should be conducted under the supervision of the Under-Secretary for Lands. Acting upon your instructions, Messrs. W. H. Grace, James Mackay, and Dean Pitt were engaged, with salaries at the rate of £350 per annum and travelling-expenses. To Mr. W. H. Grace was intrusted the purchasing of a district extending roughly from Mercer, on the Waikato River, to Taumarunui, on the Whanganui River, and extending southwest to the Ohura Valley ; whilst Mr. James Maekay's district embraced roughly the Counties of Coromandel, Thames, and Ohinemuri, together with portion of Piako County ; and Major Dean Pitt negotiated for lands principally in the Bay of Plenty district. In addition to these gentlemen, Mr. Sheridan undertook the purchases of very valuable Native lands in the Hawke's Bay District, and Captain Gilbert Mair, and afterwards Mr. H. Dunbar Johnson, negotiated for considerable areas adjoining the Whanganui River, chiefly situated in the Taranaki District, but portions also in the Wellington District. The operations of all these officers have been singularly successful, and the price paid for the land purchased has never been less than that fixed by the Valuation Department, and in the greater number of cases it was considerably exceeded. The following schedule shows the areas under negotiation, but in many cases up to the 31st March considerable areas had been finally purchased, notably those in Hawke's Bay, under Mr. Sheridan. Schedule of Native Lands that have been purchased or are under Negotiation, 1906-7. Auckland Land District — a. r. p. By Mr. W. H. Grace .. .. .. .. .. 167,820 1 0 „ Mr. James Mackav .. .. .. .. .. 24,938 1 13 „ Major Dean Pitt .. .. .. .. .. 12,257 2 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. 205,016 018 Hawke's Bay Land District — By Mr. P. Sheridan .. .. 7,953 3 36 Taranaki and Wellington Land Districts — By Captain Mair \ „ Mr. H. D. Johnson .. .. .. .. .. 107,975 0 0 „ Mr. A. F. Puckey ) Grand total ~ .. .. .. ~ 320,945 0 9