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Numerous examples might be given of the injustice that might be done were the Maoris compelled to sell half of the land they desire to lease. In one block, e.g., that consisted of 21,361 acres, the Crown has bought four-fifths of the block, leaving to the Maoris one-fifth. If section 11 is enforced, they cannot lease what is left unless they sell the half—that is, that they would only have left on lease one-tenth. In other cases where small remnants of blocks have been left to Maori owners by the Crown, on the ground that they would be left landless if such remnants were not left to them, must the Maoris still further divest themselves of their only heritage if they desire to lease ? To quote other examples, we may mention Taumatamahoe Block in the Upper Whanganui district. This was originally a large block containing 155,300 acres, to which the Maoris obtained a title in March, 1886. By 1893 the Crown had purchased 82,670 acres, leaving 72,630 acres to the Natives. In 1896 the Crown acquired 19,765 acres of this balance, and three years later 12,161 acres. In 1906 the Crown again purchased, and there is now left to the Natives 25,163 acres out of the original. 155,300 acres. Last year we recommended that an area of about 5,000 acres should be reserved for papakaingas and for farms for the owners, the balance of 20,000 acres to be leased. The owners did not wish to sell. Under section 11 10,000 acres would have to be sold. Should not the very large area already acquired by the Crown be taken into consideration when the disposition of the balance held by the Native owners "is under review ? From the King-country we give some instances. Kinohaku West originally contained 162,371 acres. The Crown commenced purchasing in 1893 or 1894, and at the close of the purchases in 1904 had acquired 130,616 acres, representing thirty-nine subdivisions. The Natives hold 31,755 acres in sixty-one small subdivisions, of which they have leased wholly or in part twenty-six subdivisions of an area of 10,575 acres. Our recent investigations show that the Natives propose the following disposition of the balance of 21.180 acres, viz :—• , ' Acres. For sale .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,349-| For lease .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,716 For Maori occupation .. .. . . .. .. .. 8,960j Not dealt with .. .. .. .. .. .. . 1,154J 21,180 We found, in consequence of the numerous successive partitions rendered necessary by the Crown's purchases, and the adjustments among the Native owners on partition and by succession, that one family had four or five small subdivisions of unequal area ; that they were occupying, and wished to retain, say, one or two, and to lease the other subdivisions to adjoining Crown settlers or members of their families. This Maori family had already sold to the Crown several thousand acres. There were other families in a similar position in the following blocks in the King-country : Hauturu, East and West; Pirongia West; Kopua ; Kahepuku ; Ohura South ; and portions of Rangitoto and Rangitoto-Tuhua. There are also many cases in which the Maoris are trustees for infants. Such a trustee cannot sell the land of his beneficiaries—he can only lease. How, then, is section 11 to be given effect to ? Are lands in trust to be exempt ? If not, no lands held on trust or for endowment, if this principle were carried out regarding all lands, could be leased without a trust or endowment being seriously affected. Again, it may be noticed that if Maori owners do not come before the Commission, and do not offer any land for sale or lease, their lands will, unless the Commissioners recommend that their lands be taken without their consent, remain unsettled, but they will remain Maori lands. An advantage is thereby given to those who refuse assistance in the opening-up of their lands for settlement. The provision is also a direct encouragement not to put their lands under the management of the Maori Land Boards, but to allow that system of private land-dealing to continue that permits certain favoured persons only to obtain leases of Maori lands. We have found in the Rohepotae country that since our report of last year was issued the Crown has bought large areas of land. Some areas that we recommended to be set aside for Maori occupation only have been purchased by the Crown. Some areas that we recommended , for leasing have been purchased by the Crown, and some areas that we recommended for sale have been purchased by the Crown. The exact area purchased by the Crown we have as yet been unable to ascertain. The