18

G.-lo

(i.) No person may acquire laud, either by purchase or lease, if unimproved value thereof, together with unimproved value of land he already owns or holds under any tenure, exceeds £3,000. Declaration necessary. (ii.) No sublease or transfer without consent of Board, who shall require sublessee or transferee to make declaration as in case (i). (c.) Three-fourths of the net proceeds of sales to be paid to Public Trustee for investment. 4. Maori settlement: As to lands set apart for Maori occupation and farming. Powers of Board : — (a.) Reserve burial-places. . (b.) Set aside village-sites and issue occupation licenses to denned area? therein to Native owners, so as to secure good government in the kaingas. (c) Set aside papakaingas for individuals, families, or tribes. Id) Set aside blocks or parts of blocks as communal farms under the management of competent farmers, and to form the nucleus of farming communities. (c) Grant leases to Maori tenants specified by the owners for such terms as it may think fit, or issue certificates of partnership to members of families wishing to farm their subdivisions, or declare the owners of any land incorporated, in order that the land may be farmed under a committee elected by the owners. (/.) Leases may contain provision— (i.) Exempting lessee from payment of rent tor term not exceeding four years. (ii.) Requiring a percentage of improvements to be effected each year, and compelling residence and effective occupation within a prescribed time. (Hi.) For forfeiture of lease, saving value of improvements, and offer of land to other owners —failing them, to general public. (a ) Raise money on security of land or revenue for purpose of advancing to Maori owners farming, or may out of proceeds of any sale form a fund for the purpose. Regulations as to terms, interest, &c. 5. Boards to have special powers as to timber, flax, minerals, grant of prospecting rights, &c. 6 To obviate delay and to secure as little expense as possible in disposal of areas for settlement, Board may offer lands after rough survey indicatingallotment Arterial roads may be laid out and formed where absolutely necessary before selection Cost of roading and survey to be loaded on sections. 7 Constitution of Boards and staff: Boards to be constituted as at present But we think that the Presidents should be drawn from men experienced in the cutting-up and letting of lands, and should be Government officers paid by the Government. Travelling-allowances of President and allowances to members to be a charge on revenue from land. Each Board to have competent accountant as Clerk and Receiver. 8 Governor in Council may except lands from operation of above proposals on condition that land so excepted be sold or leaded at auction. Exception may be made in favour of owner, who, in the opinion of the Governor in Council on recommendation of Board, is able to manage his own affairs. Return of such exemptions to be laid on table of House within fourteen days of commencement of session. 9 Jurisdiction of Native Land Court limited as to land administered by the Board in matter of partitions, but not in regard to succession, testamentary