Gr.—6,

section 109 (10) of the Native Land Amendment Act, 1913, were forgotten. The departmental files and correspondence contain so little reference to the question of " landlessness " of the Native sellers, and so much in which that question is not even adverted to, that, having regard to the fact that Native sellers were undoubtedly rendered landless by certain purchases, I cannot escape the conclusion that the effect of the purchases was not seriously considered. 31. I propose to consider the effect of the sale by each Native of his papakainga interests. There is in this matter a wide margin for a difference of opinion, for there are many factors which might be pertinent to any inquiry into the question, as, for example, the manner in which the interests in lands are held —that is to say, whether held in severalty or in common with others ; whether the interests are consolidated in one or two blocks or are scattered throughout a number of blocks ; the value and location of the blocks in which the interests are held ; and the mode of living of the Native—that is, whether in communal style or in what might be called " pakeha fashion." It is well-nigh impossible to lay down any hard-and-fast rule by which a Native may be adjudged landless or otherwise, but, having regard to the two essential criteria, area and value, I have come to the conclusion that in certain cases the purchases made by the Crown in Orakei No. 1 Reserve did in fact, beyond question, render the Native vendor landless. 32. In order to determine whether lands are capable of affording adequate maintenance for a Native it is primarily necessary to know not only what area of land he holds, but also, except where the area is large, something about its quality or nature. This information Land Purchase Officers will generally in a measure possess. There was little evidence before me as to the nature of the other lands in which the papakainga sellers were interested, but I have had ascertained, so far as has been possible, the value of each vendor's interests in such lands by reference to the Government valuations existing at the date nearest to the date upon which the Native sold his papakainga interest to the Crown. Attached to my report (Appendix C) is a schedule setting forth the names of the sellers ; the blocks of other land in which each vendor was an owner at the time he sold his interest, or major interest, in Orakei No. 1 Reserve to the Crown ; the extent of his interests in other lands ; the calculated value of such interests according to the Government valuation ; and the year in which the valuation was made. The date of the sale, the area representing all papakainga interests sold, and the consideration therefor, are also given. Owing to the way in which the valuations appear in the roll it has been necessary in certain instances, in order to ascertain the value of the interest, to proceed by a series of calculations. It will be understood that the values given do not purport to be exact, but they may be taken to be sufficiently accurate for present purposes. No account has been taken of those persons whose interests in the papakainga were acquired by way of exchange, they having received an equivalent area in Orakei No. 4a 2 Block. 33. I now turn to a more detailed consideration of the effect of the sale of interests in the papakainga (a) In eleven cases the interest disposed of was loss than one-eighth of an acre by calculation. Particulars of such interests are as follows :— Area sold. Vendor. A, R. P. Eruera Tahana Uruamo . . .. . . 0 0 7• 24 Heni Hoterene .. .. .. .. .. 0 0 10-86 Hori Roera .. .. .. .. .. 0 0 13-75 Kioreiti Roera .. .. .. .. 0 0 12-94 Mereana Roera .. .. .. .. ..0 0 9-66 Ngareta Tamihana Uruamo .. .. 0 0 10-85 Paipa Taierua .. .. .. .. .. 0 0 7• 24 Piwara Tahana Uruamo .. . . .. 0 0 7• 24 Rauputu Hoterene .. .. .. 0 0 10-86 Tiaho Roera .. .. .. .. 0 0 12-94 Waimapuna Paora .. .. .. 0 0 5-66 (b) In thirteen cases the interest disposed of was over one-eighth of an acre and less than half an acre by calculation. Particulars of such interests arc as follows Area sold. Vendor. A. B. P. Hiria Paora . . . . . . .. 0 1 21-14 Te Kooti Reweti .. .. .. 0 1 17-23 Koria Watene .. .. .. .. 0 1 11-61 Manuera Paora .. .. .. .. ..0121-13 Muri Watene .. .. .. .. .. 0 1 11-57 Ngakuku Paora .. .. .. .. .. 0 121• 20 Ngapipi Reweti .. .. .. .. .. 0 117• 23 Otene Paora .. .. .. .. ..0121-14 Piriniha Paora Reweti .. .. .. .. 0 1 1• 37 Taoho Watene .. .. .. .. .. 0 1 11-61 Tataiarangi Watene .. .. .. .. 0 1 11-61 Timi Paora .. .. .. .. .. 0 1 21-20 Wi Pahaka Paora Reweti .. .. ..0 1 1-37

3—G, 6.

17