Gk—2.

APPENDIX B— continued. Landless Natives' Blocks— continued.

APPENDIX C. To the Native Lands Commissioners. Sirs, — The Railway League of Hedgehope desire to bring before your notice the very urgent need for throwing open to European settlement the lands in this locality which have been reserved for landless Natives, and which are known as the Forest Hill, Hokonui Native Reserves. We would respectfully point out — That the lands in question have been available to the Natives for four years, and a number of the sections have been allocated and individualized, and so far none of the Natives have come to reside on the land. That numerous attempts have been made by Europeans to obtain the lease of various sections from the Natives, but difficulties have been encountered. Natives interested in the sections cannot be found, and the leases therefore cannot be obtained. That reasonable offers have been made by sawmillers for the milling-rights of the timber growing on the reserves, and in all cases save one the Natives agreed to sell. The sawmills have been removed from the district, and the whole community has suffered inconvenience and loss thereby. That no Native or European could live on less than 200 acres of the aforesaid land, and as the largest allotment for any individual Native is 50 acres, we feel that the retention of the said land, as a reserve for landless Natives is absurd. That we are of the opinion that the said land is unsuitable for the Native mode of living, and the environment will not appeal to the Native mind; and, further, that the Natives are not likely to come and reside on the land. That we are strongly opposed to the locking-up of the said land as a reserve for landless Natives if the Natives will net come and reside on arid improve the land. That the said land in its unimproved state is detrimental to the advancement of the community. Noxious weeds of every description are growing luxuriantly thereon, and rabbits abound in their thousands. The reserve is a veritable hotbed for the propagation of pests, and until it is. closely settled it will be impossible to deal effectively with these. Wherefore the Hedgehope Railway League would urge upon the Commissioners the desirability for the Government to purchase the aforesaid Native reserve, and throw the land open for European settlement, so that the land may become improved, and will thus become revenueproducing. If the Commissioners cannot see their way to accede to our request, and will not make such recommendation to the Government as we suggest, and purpose retaining the aforesaid Native lands, we would respectfully make the following recommendations:— (1.) That each Native should be allowed 200 acres of the best of the land, and larger ' amounts according to the quality of the land. (2.) That the Natives should be compelled to reside on their sections within three years after the date of allocation. (3.) That differential rating should obtain for at least ten years after the allocation of the sections, so as to provide for the roading of the country. (4.) That in all cases where the Natives fail to occupy their lands within the specified time, and where it is found impossible to place other Natives on such lands, such lands should be made available to European settlement. Signed on behalf of the League. Archd. McKay, Sen., President. J. M. Mackintosh, Secretary. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (800 copies), £8 10s.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1914.

Price 6d.]

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Name of Land. Area. Permanently reserved. Gazette. Authority. The following blocks have been reserved u South Island Landless Natives Act, 1906 :— mder the La ,nd Act, 1908, lince the repeal of the A. R. P. I Eaetihi and Te Mapou ... 934 2 19 The following blocks were set apart by Con Natives, but have not yet been reserved by Proc Heaphy (Whakapoai) ... 1,600 0 0 Wanaka 1,553 2 26 Tennyson's Inlet ... 6,408 0 37 29/8/1911 amissioners . :lamatiou:— 1911, p. 2670 Percy Smith a: Not allocated. id Mackay for landless Nil Nil Nil. it a H a a It 9,561 3 23 142,463 1 8