13

Ot.—i.

B. Lands vested in the Tairawhiti Maori Land Board under "The Maori Land Settlement Act, 1905."

SCHEDULE 4. Waiapu County.—Papatupu Lands. The area of papatupu lands in this county the title to which has not yet been properly ascertained is 149,285 acres, approximately. We find that in the year 1894 the claims for investigation of the titles to these lands came before the Native Land Court, but, owing to the dissatisfaction, felt by the people with the Crown purchases of Native lands in the district, these claims were all withdrawn, and the lands remained papatupu until after the passing of " The Maori Lands Administration Act, 1900," under which it was proposed to investigate claims to papatupu blocks through Maori committees selected by the claimants. The committees were required to report to the Maori Land Council, which confirmed or otherwise disposed of the report, subject to appeal to the Native Appellate Court. Between 1902 and 1905 Papatupu Block Committees dealt with Waiapu lands of the area of 73,625 acres ; they reported to the Council, but, owing to a technical defect in the Council's orders of confirmation, the Native Appellate Court referred the matters back. We have made representations to the Hon. the Native Minister that a Court should be appointed as soon as possible to deal with these and other papatupu lands in the Waiapu County, and we are assured that a Court will sit about the middle of February. Until the titles to these lands are ascertained we are not in a position to make definite recommendations in respect of any block. We are of opinion that the bulk of the unoccupied Native lands suitable for settlement are in these papatupu areas. The chief claimants recognised as having substantial claims, that do not appear to be disputed, have expressed a willingness to part with a proportion of their lands for general settlement. For instance, in the Marangairoa No. 1 Block it was indicated to us that an area between 10,000 and 12,000 acres will be available for general settlement as soon as the title is ascertained. The Tangihanga Block of 5,424 acres was proposed to be vested in the Tairawhiti Maori Land Board for leasing to the highest bidder or the highest tenderer. On the other hand, we had in evidence particulars of how the Natives claiming some of these lands are occupying portions thereof. The last two years have seen great developments on some of the Hocks, while two or three blocks have been farmed for many years on the co-operative principle. We give a summary of how the Maoris are occupying, the area that has been brought into cultivation, the stock depasturing, and other particulars. 1. Te Mawhai. —This is near Tokomaru Bay. It is naturally grassed, and stock from the surrounding land, which is leased to a European, runs over the land. Area, 94 acres. 2. Kokai (area, 1,300 acres, approximately).—lt is practically a reserve. There is one' main kainga and two smaller kaingas thereon. More than two-thirds of the land is improved. There are 800 acres improved, the rest being light scrub and manuka. There is one woolshed and sheep-yards. 3. Turangarahui (area, 508 acres). —The whole is cleared and grassed, and is occupied by a European under grazing lease from year to year. The existing arrangement will terminate when the Tuparoa leases expire, six or seven years hence. The laud will be required, and is suitable for Maori occupation. 4. Manyawhariki (area, 7,150 acres, approximately). —This block lies between Ohinepoutea, which has been vested in the Tairawhiti Maori Land Board for the purpose of general settlement by lease, and Waiorongomai, which has been leased privately to Europeans during the last year. The claimants have during the last two years cleared and sown in English grasses on six subdivisions of this block 1,475 acres of bush. There are six farms, three of them intended to be leaseholds, and three family or hapu farms to be worked on the co-operative system. There are 600 sheep and some forty head of cattle, but a large increase of stock is expected before the winter. Those claiming this block desire to retain the whole of it for their own use, and we see no reason to doubt that within seven to ten years the whole area will be under cultivation, divided into small farms, and carrying a large amount of stock.

iamo o! ilM-l J'ea. j'uiur .s. Oliinepoutea Tangihanga Maungawaru (1) Ahiaparua Whakaangiangi 0a 2 Iα 2 Iβ 2 a a. v. 230 2 0 .. 114 1 20 .. ' 159 (t 0 A. K. P. 5,089 0 0 6,424 0 0 3,900 0 0 555 0 0 Title not ascertained. We recommend that this be sold. Ditto. Whakaangiangi 3n Ahirau B 503 3 26 401 i 0 0 (»00 2 0 We recommend this for lease to Hoani Huriwai, Maori lessee spocified by the owners. We recommend this for leaso to Rupata Huriwai and Tamati Taiapa, Maori lessees specified by the owners. Wo recommend this to bo leaned to Renata Tamepo and Paratene Waiti. We understand that this is vested for leasing to Maori!!, and that tho Board has made all arrangements with the owners for location of sections, and has specified lessees. Anaura 8,330 0 0 24,868 1 26 Total ..