KAIPARA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Helensville, June 10.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XX, Issue 2167, 30 June 1864, Page 7

KAIPARA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Helensville, June 10.

Op Into we have had a now order of tilings hero, owing to the Native Lands Act coming into operation. On the 6th instant the Judges appointed under the Native Lands Act, 1862, met for the first time at the house of Mr. John McLeod, in accordance with the request of a number of native chiefs who were desirous of conveying several pieces of land to Europeans in this district. Accordingly, Mr.Rogau, the President of the newly established Court, together with his colleagues, Assessor JCceno, Tamati IJewiti, Wi Tipepc, and Matildkuha, took their seats at 10 o'clock on Tuesday last. A largo assembly of well-behaved and well-dressed natives wore in attendance. Tho Court being now opened, the Judges commenced examining those who wero disposiug of their lands ; when the disposers wore obliged to give a satisfactory account of the owners and occupiers of the said land from the latest conquest down to the present day, whilo some of the long-winded ones wero disposed to go back as far as tho first canoe that landed in tho country, or even to the gods. I observed that tho native Judges appeared well suited for the important task they nave to perform. They well know that all the responsibility will fall upon, themsolves should they award certificates to any but the rightful owners — hence the examinations are extremely minute, and well and ably conducted. The Court was conducted with all the decorum and order that could bo found in any European assembly, which reflects much credit on the natives themselves, as well as upon those who for years have endeavoured to introduce this new Jaw. The land purchased from tho natives nearly two years ago by Mr. John McLeod was tho first to be adjudged by this Court. The case occupied tho entire of Tuesday, when it was decided to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, and especially to that of Mr. McLeod, who had laid out over £S,OOO on that property without any further guarantee for his land than the good faith of the natives from whom he purchased. Tho certificate of his land awaits the Governor's assent. On Wednesday, the Court was engaged in investigating another purchase of land, now occupied by Mr. Isaac McLeod, which was also satisfactorily settled. Judging from the hearty interest the natives have taken in this new law, and tho largo tracts of valuable land w Inch they are now proposing to dispose of hy auction and' otherwise, we must soon begin to feel the beneficial effects of direct purchase, while tho general courtesy of the natives towards each other at their meetings, and the adjustment of their individual titles being in tho hands of their most; influential men, who judge in accordance with their own customs, must in every way tend to show that we have everything to expect from the new Act ; while thero is not the slightest danger of the Government falling into difficulties, such as have led to war in former times. Heretofore, when the natives were spoken to about their lauds, their suspicions led them to dwell much on the decny of their race, extermination, &c- they felt that their lands were passing away from them, together with what they had received in exchange, but now, they appear to have been brightened up with the new hope that they are ill reality to be British subjects. Hence, at the present time, a number of the influential and intelligent natives are making inquiries about tho large amount of money which lias been set apart by the General Assembly at Wellington, for the improvement of roads in this province by means of native labour. A few days ago, the natives here were apprised of the Superintendent's intention of visiting this district, for the purpose of improving the roads to this place, and of placing beacons and buoys in the harbour ; they accordingly assembled in large numbers, to give his Honor a good reception, hoping that he would bring with him Mr. Wilson, who had promised them some months ago that ho should soon come over here with a largo bag of mone3 r which his Honor had received from the General Government for the purpose of making roads with native labour. But on being told this evening that his Honor was not coming over, but had sent an inspector to look at the roads and harbour, they commenced packing up and preparing for a start in the morning, very much disgusted at the disappointment, stating that Wilson and his bag of money was all gammon ; and I n ay here add that there are a number of Europeans residing here who concur w 7 ith tho natives in their opinion as to Wilson's bag. Within the last few days the natives have been deliberating as to what steps they can best tuke to prevent spirits from coming into the district. I think tliey will write to the Governor on the subject, and if the General Government will but meet their views on this matter we may hope that a remnant of these people will be saved from premature decay, and one of the curses that infesL humanity be banished from this promising district. At present one white man and a number of natives are doing a large retail business in rum, at 10s. per bottle, particularly on Sundays.