THE MOKAU OPENED TO EUROPEANS.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2294, 12 July 1877, Page 3

THE MOKAU OPENED TO EUROPEANS.

Every event which marks the removal of the prejudices between the Maori and the European, is of importance in the History of the colony. An occurrence has just taken place on the West Coast, which denotes the gradually strengtheningdesire of the natives in what is called the King Country to invite European settlers to conip among them, The paddle steamer Hauraki was chartered at Waita.ra on her last trip, to take six settlers ami their families to thcMoukau, a river about 30 miles north of the jWaitara, and hitherto so completely closed to Europeans as Kawhia. The steamer entered the river Avith ease (the navigation is superior to that of the Weitara) and the settlers getting into the boat, wert rowed up to the native settlement. It appears that the coming of the pake-has was expected and a large concourse of natives had assembled to meet them. Far from oft'erikig any opposition every native vied with his fellow to welcome the strangers. They helped run the boat in, and exhibited every demonstration of joy. The chief* were particularly loud ill their expressions of gladness and told the Captain of the steamer that lie might tell all the pakehas that the Mokau was henceforth open to them for ever. We may mention that the land is exceedingly rich and capable of great development.

Messrs Partridge and Woollams, of Queen-street, have imported a novel shipment of matches, appropriately dubbed "The Friend." The box not only contains wax vestas and fusees for lighting pipes and cigars when the wind is blowing high, but also a miniature candle fitted in a tin socket. These are to be sold at the price of the ordinary vertas, and are admirably suited to the pocket, being far less bulky than the common tin box.

The half-yearly meeting of All Saints' parishioners, will be held this evening in the school-room. The business will be important, including the passing of account? and appointment of churchwardens in place of Messrs Payne and Recs resigned.

At a general meeting of the creditors of John Leech, of Shortland-street, held this day at the Supreme Court buildings, it was unanimously agreed that the debtor receive his final discharge.