G.—9

1920. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE LAND COURTS, MAORI LAND BOARDS, AND NATIVE LAND PURCHASE BOARD (REPORT FROM THE UNDER SECRETARY, NATIVE DEPARTMENT, ON THE WORKING OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1920.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

Sir,— Native Department, Wellington, 30th July, 1920. I have the honour to submit the annual report on the work of the Native Land Courts, Maori Land Boards, and the Native Land Purchase Board for the year ended 31st March, 1920. The Hon. the Native Minister. C. B. Jordan, Under-Secretary. ANNUAL REPORT. Native Land Court and Native Appellate Court. The Native Land Courts held 169 sittings during the year. The total number of cases notified for hearing was 28,954, and 13,399 cases were dealt with. Native Freehold Land. —904 partition orders, affecting 358,791 acres, were made, and 8,511 succession orders and 2,386 other orders affecting Native lands were made. The Native Appellate Court held sixteen sittings during the year. The total number of cases scheduled was 251, and 203 cases were dealt with. The Court fees received amounted to £5,994 95., as against £4,208 12s. 9d. for last year. Maori Land Boards. Vested Lands. —The area of land vested in and administered by the various Maori Land Boards at 31st March, 1920, was 942,632 acres. During the year 1,021 acres were alienated by way of lease, and 711 acres 1 rood 5 perches were revested in the Native owners. The area vested in the Maori Land Boards since their inception has been 728,579 acres 3 roods 35 perches, viz. : Under Part XIV, 309,846 acres 3 roods 17 perches ; under Part XV, 348,972 acres 3 roods 5 perches ; under special enactments, 69,759 acres 1 rood 13 perches. In addition an area of 214,052 acres 3 roods 31 perches has been declared subject to the provisions of Part XVI of the Native Land Act, 1909, making the total area of 942,632 referred to above. Of the vested lands 137,899 acres have been sold, and 380,032 leased by the Boards, leaving 210,648 acres still undisposed of. Native Freehold Lands. —During the year the Boards have approved of 405 leases, comprising 39,246 acres, and have confirmed 1,248 transfers (apart from sales to the Crown), affecting 103,306 acres. The Boards have also confirmed thirty-two mortgages, affecting 7,436 acres, the total area of land affected being 149,988 acres. The total receipts of the Boards for the year amounted to £526,984 17s. 7d. and the disbursements £471,702 10s. 2d. The total amount at credit of the Boards was £586,317 16s. 7d. Of this sum £479,484 ss. lid. is held on deposit with the Public Trustee in separate accounts in the names of the respective Boards, and £15,400 is vested in War Funds bonds. The balance is held at credit of current accounts of the Boards. The revenue received by the Boards amounted to £9,276 6s. 2d.—-£4,220 Bs. 6d. by fees, and £5,055 17s. Bd. for commission.

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