THE MOKAU ESTATE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3275, 21 July 1911, Page 3

THE MOKAU ESTATE.

A REPLY TO MR. MASSEY. FROM THE SYNDICATES VIEW POINT. [PIE, FBESB ASSOCIATION.} HASTINGS, July 20. Interviewed this morning regarding Mr. Massey’s criticism of the Mokau lands deal,* a- member of the syndicate states there was no truth in the statement- that the syndicate had acquired a further 17J000 acres. The facts regarding the transaction were apparently very different to what Mr Massey had made them appear. There are several blocks reserved near the coast for the use of natives. The £25,000 paid them was considerably more than they would have received in rents for the* lands, which were leased. for 20 years. The Order-in-C-ouncil was signed long before the syndicate was formed, and Mr. McNab and . other members had nothing to do with it. The Mokau estate was now vested in the chairman of the Manioptoto Land Board, and titles will be given by him to purchasers found by the syndicate. This complies with the Land Act in regard to limitation of area, and the syndicate has to dispose of the selection within three years. The Hon. T. Mackenzie recently stated that- he was only too pleased the syndicate had taken the settlement of Mokau lands in hand, as it was far too complicated a business for the Government to undertake. The Commissioner of Crown Lands at- New Plymouth told the syndicate that it- would be a greatadvantage to Parliament if the syndicate would purchase and cut up the block of Crown lands at- the top end of Mokau estate. It would facilitate settlement, and. remove roading difficulties almost insurmountable in any other way. The syndicate, however, has not purchased this land, and Mr. Massey has evidently been misinformed The interview concluded with a statement that had the syndicate not taken the Mokau estate, land settlement there would have been delayed a long time, probably for another twenty years.