SURVEYORS AND NATIVE LANDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3721, 6 January 1913, Page 5

SURVEYORS AND NATIVE LANDS.

SOME GRIEVANCES’ EXPLAINED. DEPUTATION TO MR HERRIES. [PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM! AUCKLAND, Jan. 5. A deputation of surveyors waited on the Minister for Native Affairs (Hon W. H. Herries) to place before him a number of disabilities under which they contended surveyors at present lay owing to the regulations in connection with Native Land Court matters and the absence of co-ordination between surveyors and tlie Native Department.

Mr C. C. Ottway, the first speaker, said that a matter which caused great and unnecessary annoyance and delay' to surveyors was the necessity at present of obtaining the signature of the Chief Judge of the Native Land Court to plans.

Mr Jackson drew attention to the fact that Court orders had also to be signed by the judge. If it could he made a rule that the Registrar of the Native Land Court be empowered to sign the orders a great deal of delay could be avoided.

Another point stressed was the necessity of proper and accurate plans being furnished to the Court, the lack of adequate descriptions and plans available being the cause of innumerable delays and loss to surveyors. At present there was, it was contended. a lack of co-ordination between the Survey and Native Departments.

Other matters touched upon were the collection of back fees owing to surveyors and the raising of the scale of charges for surveying. The Minister assured the deputation that as the Government was anxious to get Native Lands opened up as soon as possible he - would do anvthing he could to help them. He pointed out, however, that if alterations were made to the partition orders signed by the Judge endless petitions would go before Parliament while litigation would become rampant. . It was often found on investigation that a block did not contain the area - represented to be in it. The trouble was that the Survey Department was also concerned, tie promised, however, to do what he could to save the lose of time that was involved through the plans having to go on to the judge. In regard to the other matters the Minister also assured the deputation that he would do his 'utmost to .facilitate '.survey work on Native Lands.