NATIVE LANDS COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2298, 17 September 1908, Page 3

NATIVE LANDS COMMISSION.

A FURTHER ItEFORT. (Special Lo “Times.”) WELLINGTON, Sept. 16. Tho Nativo Lands Cmomissioners’ further report, presented to Ihirliament to-day, gives details of work so far accomplished, most ol wlneli lias already boon dealt with in the interim •reports. Tthese liavo boon ranged <llll- - 22 heads, and cover the land in the following counties: East Coast, Hawko’s Bay, Cook, Waiapu, Bay of Plenty, Taurang.i, Wanganui, Rotorua, Tauranga, Wanganui district, Bangitikci, Wanganui, Wnitokra, Wuim-nmijo, Kohcpotao, or King Country, Wnitomo, Awukino, K»whia West, Taupo, North Auckland, Waitemata, ltodiiey, Otamatea, Hobson, Whangaroi, Hokianga, Bay of Islands, AYJiangaroa, Mangoinu. In order to facilitate the carrying onto! the recommendations made by the Commission 'respecting cor tain blocks ami t<> avoid complication arising from private dealings during tho period for completing the titles, surveys, and other necessary details, tho Commissioned? recommend the issue.ot an Order-in-Council, under section 10 ol the Nativo Land Settlement Act, 1 >JO7, prohibiting private alienation for a term not exceeding twelvemonths over a number of blocks ol a total area of 183,000 acres. The areas dealt with by tho Commission are as follows ; Acres leased' or under negotiation for lease, 915,970; recommended for Maori general sottlcaiient, 1,295,268 ,acres; vested m hoards and trustees and available for settlement, 500,365 acres; Papatupu lands, 423,552 acres; total, 3,135,186 acres. The area covered by the recommendations of the Commission is 1,295,268 acres. The following is an analysis of the recommendations: Fdr. Maori occupation as papakaingas, burial res'6'i'ves, family farms, etc., 517,605 (b) as communal farms to no incorporated 89,722 acres; (c) be leased by Maoris whether specified or not, 30,056 acres; total 043,574 .acres. 2. For general settlement (n) by sale, 64,192 acres; (b) by lease, 409,647 acres; (c) be incorporated under section 28 of the Maori Lands Claims Adjustment Act, 1907, 177,851 .acres; total 651,693 acres. The, Cbiiimnnsionors eonsidier that legislation is required as to blocks vested in Maori Land l Boards, by the Act of 1906, and its amendments, and on tho subject of reservations to define wliat beneficiaries shall have the use of them. Special legislation is also 'required for tho lands ill the Urewera and the Therm at Springs districts.