ROTORUA LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2418, 5 February 1909, Page 2

ROTORUA LANDS.

SUB-DIVISION PROCEEDING

The Ngatiwbakaue tribe handed over to the Royal Commission, Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, and Mr Ngata, M.P., various blocks totalline 40,000 acres, to be dealt with by that body, and opened up for settlement by either Alaori or pakeha. In pursuance of that policy Air Tiai Mitchell, surveyor, is (says the “Rotorua Times”), at present engaged laying off the Warenui block into sections. The first step wias to lay out roads on-the most suitable grades, -and then proceed with the subdivision. The block contains-about 2600 'acres, and has been laid off into three farms. The following will probably be the terms of the le-ast:—Rental- about Is per acre per annum, term of lease twenty-one years, tenant to bo paid for ia-11 improvements if. ho does not renew the lefctse when offered at'-ex-piry -of first terms. It is intended to give Maoris the first chance at the sections, and to -grant them the opportunity ■of setting up as farmers. If they do not -accept tho opportunity the land will be offered to Europeans. The Wharenui block is almost -directly opposite Rotorua town, on the other side of the lake, extending from the road to the crest of the hill. Tho rest of the Ngatiwhak-aue land, extends from the Wharenui block .round to tho railway line, from Ngongotaka station to Al-amaku, including the valleys of Utaikina., and Nigongotaha streams. iSo-me good land is contained in the -part -on tho opposite sin© of the He in a Gorge from Rotorua.