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An Epitome of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs and Land Purchases in the North Island of New Zealand

General Summary

General Summary.

From this statement it will be seen that the area of land acquired by purchase or lease since 1872, the year the Government commenced the present land purchases under "The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1870," have been—

Acres.
In the Province of Auckland, by purchase490,784
In the Province of Auckland, by lease391,601
In the Province of Hawke's Pay, by purchase240,537
In the Province of Wellington, by purchase429,702
In the Province of Taranaki, by purchase170,499

A total of 1,331,522 acres, purchased at a cost of, including £13,000 charged for expenses of department, commissions, &c., £164,218 10s. 1d., or 2s. 5¾d. per acre; and 391,601 acres leased, on which has been paid the sum of £2,987 9s. 1d.

The incomplete transactions represent—

Acres.
In the Province of Auckland, by purchase1,618,686
In the Province of Auckland, by lease1,214,667
In the Province of Hawke's Bay, by purchase37,000
In the Province of Wellington, by purchase1,202,026
In the Province of Wellington, by lease307,835
In the Province of Taranaki, by purchase84,130

A total of 2,941,842 acres under purchase, and 1,552,502 acres under lease. In all 4,464,344 acres, on which has been paid, including £13,135 2s, 9d. for departmental services the sum of £118,823 1s.

From these totals it will be seen that no less than 6,187,467 acres of land have been negotiated for since 1872, on which moneys have been paid amounting to £286,029 0s. 2d.

page 226

The total amount charged against the sums voted by Parliament for land-purchase purposes to 30th June last was referred to by my honorable colleague, the Colonial Treasurer, in his Financial Statement, as £377,059 18s. 1d. Some explanation may be necessary as to the difference between this sum and that of £286,029 0s. 2d., before noticed by me as the total payments made for actual land-purchase purposes, a difference of £75,344 4s. 6d.

This amount is made up from payments made to the

£s.d.
Province of Auckland, Under authority of section 47 and 48 of "The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1872"17,91700
Province of Hawke's Bay, Under authority of section 47 and 48 of "The Immigration and Public Works Act, 1872"3,00000
Transfer to Native Land Act Account under Appropriation Acts of 1872, 1873, 187424,29285
Advance to New Zealand Settlements Act (Confiscated Lands)20,50000
Expenses of raising Loan9,53411
In Suspense Account100150
£75,34446

This sum of £75,344 4s. 6d., as against £286,029 0s. 2d. actually paid for land, certainly appears large, but it must be borne in mind that, with the exception of £20,500 advanced to the New Zealand Settlements Act, the whole has been charged in accordance with the votes of this House. The fact should also not be lost sight of, that a large proportion of the expenses incurred by the Native Land Court have been in the investigation of title to the land purchased under the provisions of the Immigration and Public Works Acts.

The Government have steadily kept in view the twofold objects of providing land for the large influx of population, and of securing those districts to the colony through which public works and undertakings are being carried on.

In the consideration of this question there is another point which should be mentioned—the Government have endeavoured to acquire land in large blocks, where possible. The advantage gained is obvious; but, in doing so, of necessity lands of all descriptions were included. Much land fit for special settlement has been purchased. Lands supposed to be of average quality have, on closer inspection by the surveyors, turned out better than was anticipated.

Reports of the surveyors have been laid on the table of the House.

A large area of land has been secured in the Taupo country, which, as every one knows who has been through that district, is generally of inferior description, but even for that there has been considerable competition.

There are some valuable blocks now under negotiation, which, in the course of a few months will be in the hands of the Government. But I would ask honorable members, especially those of them who are not acquainted with the difficulties and the sometimes harrassing work of negotiation with the Natives, to restrain impatience. Lands are now being purchased in districts where a few years ago a. European could not show his face. In proof of this, I would only point to the Taranaki and Upper Whanganui Districts; and, if the Government carry on the work as they may deem safe and advisable, a large colonial estate will be obtained; but, if undue pressure is brought upon the Land Purchase Agents to urge on these purchases, not only will our present, good understanding with the Native race be endangered, but the main object in view marred, by unwise and premature action.

Negotiations of this nature can only be carried out with the intelligent assent of the Natives, and this can only be obtained when they have realized the advantages to be gained from having European settlers in their neighbourhood.