HON. A.T. NGATA AT CORE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3259, 3 July 1911, Page 2

HON. A.T. NGATA AT CORE.

NATIVE LANQ DEPARTMENT.

OJME INTERESTING FIGURES

L-FEIi PRESS ASSOCIATION.! GURE, July 2. Speaking at Gore on Saturday night Hon. A. T. Ngata introduced entirely new figures' in regard to the administration of the Native Department, comprising the record of operations for’the vear ended l March 31st last. The Native Land ‘Court held 94 sittings at 46 places, for which 22,243 cases were notified. Orders were made in 9812 cases, 4388 were dismissed and 8043 adjourned. Papitupu claims investigated represented 186,6794 acres, and partitions (833) 503,820 acres, whilst of orders 7487 were dealt with together with other orders to the number of 1574.

The Appellate Court held 13 sittings, for which 471 cases were notified. The Court varied 72 and affirmed 42 orders, and referred hack 7 decisions to the Native Land Court. In all 187 appeals were dismissed or withdrawn, and 68 (chiefly applications under section 50 of tfie Native Land Act, 1909) were adjourned. The area administered by the Boards was 975,010 acres, of which leases totalling 282,402. acres were issued in 422 leases. Native land for purchases offered during the year amounted to 902,074 acres; completed 75,437, referred to meetings of assembled owners and in course of purchase 430,560 acres, declined by the Board 162 acres.declined by assembled owners 35,922 acres; under consideration 27,230 acres, held 1 over pending appeals, 61,702.) acres; under proclamation. 171,058) acres; under survey, 603,353 acres. COURT AND BOARDS.

(a) Native Laud Court: Collected by Court, £3BOB 6s; collected by Registrar, £39,152; search fees, £278,152; stamps, £1467; outstanding, £BB9 2s; £6834 18s lid.

(b) Maori Land Boards’ revenue from fees; £3369 ISs 6d. (c) Licensed interpreters’ fees. £92 ss, £10,307 2s sd. bees not charged to Government Departments, who nevertheless charge the Native Department for the work done for it if charge were made it is estimated that the Government Departments would pay at least £IOOO, whilst the Native Land Purchase Board 132 £1132 brought the revenue up to _ about £11,529. The vote for the Native Department last year was £22,257, of which £21,661 was expended. It cost the taxpayers a little over £II,OOO to bring into settlement 345,'2lB acres and advance the titles to 690,508 acres of Native land, chiefly in outlying districts, such as Hokianga, Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, Taupo, King Country, and Inland Wanganui.