SETTLING THE WAIAPU LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2619, 29 September 1909, Page 5

SETTLING THE WAIAPU LANDS.

PETITION TO BE PRESENTED TO , PARLIAMENT. The following is a copy of the petition which has been circulated forsigna. tures with a view to its presentation to Parliament during the coming session: To the Honorable the Speaker, and the Honorable the Members of Parliament of the Dominion of New Zealand, in Parliament Assembled: The Memorial of the undersigned electors of the Waiapu and Cook Counties showeth: 1. That there are vast areas of unimproved land in and to the North of the Waiapu County which are eminently suitable for pastoral and dairy .purposes. . * L 2. This iand is naturally highly fertile.

3. Being for the most part bush country it can only be developed by the expenditure of capital and the application of skilled methods of clearing and grassing. 4. It is impossible for the Native population on the East Coast to utilise these great areas of unimproved country. 5. That in the opinion of your memorialists, the area of land in the Waiapu County recommended by the Native Land Commission to be thrown open for settlement is too small, and altogether inadequate to the want s of an increasing European population. 0. That, in order to aid an effective settlement it is most desirable that substantial additions be made to the present Native townships of Tokomaru, Vaipiro, Port Awanui, and Te Araroa, and that such additions be divided into sections to be thrown open for sale and lease.

Your Memorialists therefore respectfully represent to your honorable House: —

1. That the Waste Lands Committee should call for evidence and papers during the present session as to the area of available land lying idle in the Waiapu County and as far North as Cape Runaway and for such other information as may seem relevant thereto.

2. That the Waste Lands Committee will report on such evidence and papers and make such recommendations in the premiseg as may be. meet. 3. That your honorable House will be pleased to consider such report and give effect thereto as early as may be possible.

And your Memorialists as in duty bound will ever pray. . One of the petition forms is available for signature at this office, and those? interested in the matter are reminded that the lists are to be closed on Frida v next.