G—9

1925. NEW ZEALAND.

NATIVE LAND COURTS AND OTHER MATTERS UNDER CONTROL OF NATIVE DEPARTMENT. REPORT FROM UNDER-SECRETARY FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH, 1925.

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

Native Department, Ist June, 1925. Hon. the Native Minister, Wellington. Herewith is submitted a report upon the activities of the Department for the year ending 31st March, 1925. R. N. Jones, Under-Secretary. Native Land and Native Appellate Courts. Tables are attached which indicate the number of sittings of the Courts, the business transacted, and the total number of orders made. The fees collected totalled £6,562 16s. 9d., as against £6,508 2s. sd. for the previous year. Maori Land Boards. The Maori Land Boards granted confirmation in respect of the following transactions (inclusive of South Island district) — „ , Area. ium er. k p Sales .. .. .. .. .. ..570 35,017 2 34-81 Leases .. .. .. .. .. ..325 29,076 1 13-2 The lands remaining vested in the Boards are as follows : — a. b. p. Area as at 31st March, 1924 .. .. .. .. 692,730 0 0 Area sold or revested .. .. .. .. .. 8,281 0 20-21 Balance under control of Boards .. .. .. 684,448 3 19-79 The earnings of the Boards were: Fees, £2,328 14-s. 6d., and commission, £5,890 18s. 9d., as against £2,323 Bs. 6d. and £7,244 14s. 6d. respectively for the previous year. Land Purchase Board. The area of Native Land purchased by the Crown during the year was 29,527 acres. The area of purchased Native land proclaimed Crown land and made available for settlement was 25,161 acres. The total area of Native land purchased by the Board since Ist April, 1910, is 1,357,810 acres, and the aggregate purchase-money expended £3,277,355.

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