Middle Island Native Land Question (Report on.), By Mr. Commissioner Mackay
Appendix. — Wm. F. Drummond Jervois, Governor
Appendix.
Wm. F. Drummond Jervois, Governor.
To all to whom these presents shall come, and to Alexander Mackay, Esq., Judge of the Native Land Court: Greeting.
Whereas it is alleged by or on behalf of certain aboriginal natives in the Middle Island of New-Zealand that they are unprovided with land : And whereas it is asserted by and on behalf of other Natives that the reserves and awards of land formerly made for their use and occupation are inadequate for their maintenance and support; and it is also stated that there are certain half-castes in the Middle Island not yet provided for in any Acts of the New Zealand Legislature hitherto passed making provision for grants of land in favour of half-castes: And whereas it is desirable that a Commissioner should be appointed to inquire into the cases of all such persons:
1. | To inquire into all cases of Natives alleged to be unprovided with land: |
2. | To inquire into cases where it is asserted that the lands hitherto set apart are inadequate for the maintenance and support of the aboriginal natives on whose behalf such provision was made: |
3. | To inquire into the cases of all half-castes in the Middle Island whose names are not included in any Acts of the Legislature, who may Still be unprovided with land: |
4. | To ascertain and furnish the names, addresses, and sex of all such persons, and recommend in what quantities and in what localities land should be set apart and awarded to each for cultivation and settlement purposes: |
And, generally, to do, execute, and perform all and every such other acts and deeds, matters, and things whatsoever in anywise necessary or expedient to be done in and about the premises by virtue of these presents; and, in furtherance of such inquiries and for the purpose aforesaid, to take evidence upon oath or otherwise as to you shall seem meet, and to report on the same. And I do hereby, and with the advice and consent aforesaid, require you, within twelve months after the date of this Commission or as much sooner as can be done, using all diligence, to certify to me, under your hand and seal, your opinion touching the premises. And with the like advice and consent I do declare that this Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, the said Commissioner, shall and may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof to such place and places and at such time as you shall judge meet and convenient, although the same shall not continue from time to time by adjournment.
Forster Goring,
Clerk of the Executive Council.