Leases of the Native Lands.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume V, Issue 217, 27 July 1849, Page 2

Leases of the Native Lands.

We have heen ceaseless in our efforts to expose the deep injury which has been done to the Colony by means of the Native Land Purchase Ordinance — that monu-

of our senatorial wisdom— by which the whole of the native lands are effectually guarded from any use being made of them by Europeans ; whereby a penalty of £100 is incurred by even pitching a tent, and passing a night upon them : Now, that the whole available pasture on Government lands has, long ago, been exhausted, and cattle dying for want of nourishment, now, that this admirable system has brought the value of cattle at public auction to 10s. a head — it has just occurred to the ingenious intellect which planned it, that it is full time to alter this state of things. It is now deemed quite proper that cattle should get food, and that the settlers should be allowed to obtain lands for grazing purposes wherever they can find them. In short, it is found that the Ordinance referred to has pretty nearly destroyed this settlement, and we hear that His Excellency is now to bring in another Ordinance at the next Council, to prevent it from doing further injury. This, however, speaks so powerfully of defeat, as necessarily to become a bitter pill to swallow ; and by way of sweetening it a little, ingenious efforts are at present being made to induce certain parties to get up a memorial to the Council — begging and praying that the country may be opened up to save us from ruin. His Excellency will then step forward, and say that he has graciously hearkened to the voice of the people, and that their petitions shall be granted. As the settlers, however, opposed the passing of the obnoxious Ordinance referred to, His Excellency ought to have the sole and undivided merit of removing it, and acknowledging his blunder — as he lias had the odium of imposing it. It would, therefore, be very unwise and very cruel to take away any portion of his glory by getting up the unnecessary petition referred to. The Natives. We have frequently urged upon the Government the obligation they are under to provide some shelter for the parties of natives who frequent the town for trading and other purposes. It is really most painful to walk along Mechanics Bay in this unprecedented wet weather to see the poor natives shivering in the cold and wet, located along the sea beach without any adequate roof to shelter them. It cannot be for want of money that this common humanity is withheld from them, for there is au abundance of this lavished upon the natives in other diredtions. Is it not monstrous that between three and four thousand pounds should have been spent last year — said to be for educational purposes — and yet such carelessness manifested as to their bodiiy comforts, and even existence? We scarcely know who are most blameable, those who give away, or those who receive and apply this money, and yet leave undone such an essential piece of real charity to the maories. 1 Portable Houses. — A new article of indigenous manufacture is likely soon to be added to our list of exports in the shape of wooden houses for California, several of which are now being erected for shipment j to that country. These are built very substantially, and quite portable for easy transmission, and being made of the kauri, one of the most valuable woods for building purposes, will doubtless prove acceptable to the crowds now without such comforts on the banks of the Sacramento. Resident Magistrate's Court.-July 25. Two men were charged with being concerned in stealing a cheque for £9 95., drawn by the Bishop of New Zealand in favour of William Leicester Rogers, the property of Mr. W. Leicester Rogers. One of the parties was discharged, there being no evidence against him — the other was remanded for further examination on Friday (this day) at 10 o'clock. Thursday, 26 h July. A woman, named ismith, was charged with larceny, in having stolen from the person of Thomas Kelly, a pensioner, Jiving at Panmure, a pocket hook, containing 2 sovereigns, 2 half-crowns, and 3 sixpences, his property. The prisoner made a rambling statement that she had purchased the pocket-book from the prosecutor, Remanded till to-morrrow.