OPOTIKI.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3353, 15 April 1868, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

To the Editor of the Daily Southxbn Cboss. Sat,— That the project of establishing military settlements has prored a decided failure cannot well be denied. No small amount of money has been expended in endeavouring to carry out the once muen-talked-of military settlement scheme, and the sums to laid out have been most unquestionably thrown away. ... . On the Waikato, at Tauranga, and at Opotiki, numbers of the settlers have sold their lands and left the districts; and, as regards the last-named place, I do not hesitate to affirm, unless some measures are devised, and that speedily, by the carrying out of which the men will be induced to remain on their one acre allotments, the post will be almost, if not altogether, deserted by the European population. To convince themselves that this statement is not an exaggerated one, your readers have only to make themselves acquainted with the figures of the monthly muster states for this district, for the last six months. BacK month we have been getting beautifully less. After each visit from that highly popular personage the Paymaster, the question, "Are you clearing out?" becomes the question of the day, and the answer is, in too many cases, " When the « Whitby sails," or, " When I ye sold my land." , . , Considering the amount of public money _that Jias been expended in taking and keeping Opotiki, it may not be uninteresting to some of your readen i to learn how this placf, which some time b«k JJ" mised to become one of the most flourishing settlements -^^o-^a^AIJSS &XSi an^Sin ft£& *«-£- greatlymistaken (gUdly would I be so), the hwtory of its fall, or abandonment, will soon be in the Pr T?m»vbaas well to inform the reader that the men X delved their land here belonged to the £t Jgiment. The majority of these men had resolved on making New Zealand their home. Numbers of them had been accustomed to agricultural pursuits in Victoria. They were inured to hardship. Not a few had saved a little money. Men better fitted to become "pioneers of civiluation and cultivation in the wilds of this province, it would, indeed, be difficult to find. As was expected, when the settlers were put m possession of their town allotments they set burily to work. Whares, huts, and weather-boarded; buildings, seme of the latter being of » thoroughly, ( substantial description, were constructed j gardens.

were laid out, and tbe plough and harrow were in use in various parts of the flat. Oattle and implements of husbandry were bought. On every side the "go-a-head" character of the settlers displayed itself. Their industry soon, however, received a check. Hauhaus were seen amongst the hills in William King's country, An expeditionary force was sent out after the rebels, and two of the insurgent natires were killed. This was a most unfortunate expedition — unfortunate because there are good reasons for believing that, but for it, we should have enjoyed tranquillity in the district, and with tranquillity we should have enjoyed prosperity. The Bauhaus bad nercr threatened Opotiki ; • and what business, I should like to know in the name of all that is reasonable, have we to go hunting up and down and across the country in search of the rebels ? If one native chief has a grudge against aaother, are the military settlers to be taken from their avocations for the purpose of settling the quarrel? In a word, are the settlers to fight the battles of the loyal chiefs ? If these gentlemen fall out about potato grounds and maize patches, let them adjust the disputes themselves. L«t thoie who make the quarrels be The only man to fight. Some short time after this ill-advised expedition, two of the settlers (Messrs. Moore and Begg) were killed on their farm. Then followed the murder of Mr. Bennett White, and also that of the mail-carrier ; and, since these atrocities were committed, the district has been in a very unsettled state. The sight of smoke (the fire from which it proceeded might be ten miles distant from Opotiki) was sufficient to cause a general alarm, and one had only to report having seen a couple of old Maori women at tbe extremity of the flat, to get " all hands" out under arms. From time to time, exaggerated and absurd accounts of the state of affairs in this quarter have appeared in the columns of the Auckland newspapers. I recollect, on one occasion, reading an account of the murder of a butcher, who was brutally "done for" by the Hauhaus somewhere between Whakatane and this place. At the time this " horrible tale" appeared in the newspaper the victim — the butcher — was walking about the township. Again, how often must your readers have seen that we were menaced by " a force of between two and three hundred natives," that " the Otara Blockhouse was expected to be attacked," that "Kereopa was on the march," &c. These reports are not, I feel assured, forwarded by your own correspondent, hut must be concocted and sent to your office either by some very silly or else some evil-disposed persona. Certain it is these foolish statements appearing now and again in the Auckland prints have done this place considerable harm. They have deterred men of capital from visiting the district. They have tended so to reduce the price of land that the finest section can be obtained for a mere song. The people of Auckland imagine Opotiki is in a perpetual state of siege ; that we cam barely hold our own ; that life and property are in danger even in the|town«hip. Now the fact is, the only rebel ever seen near or in this camp was an unfortunate fellow who was picked up by some of the Arawas at Whakatane, and who was placed in the clock tower of the English Church. His arrival in the township created quite an excitement amongst the juveniles, and since hii incarceration he has received visits of condolence from all the small boys about Opotiki. Perhaps that which has chiefly led to such a general clearing out of the settlers is the gross partiality displayed by the Commanding Officer in his selection of the men to do duty, from month to month, in the township, and also at the Otara and Waioeka blockhouses. Seeing it was impossible for the men to go on their farm sections owing to the unsettled state of affairs, and as their ration allowance was soon to be ■topped, it became with them a matter of the greatest importance to be taken on pay. It was understood that each man would be called on to do ' a month's duty in his turn. But so far from this rule being adhered to, some men were kept on month after month, whilst the claims of others to be "taken on pay" were scarcely recognised. It is hardly necessary to state, this system of favouritism has acted most perniciously on the settlement. The men, being unable to cultivate their lands, and being also nnable to obtain their fair share of " Government money" in the shape of militia pay, were forced to leave the district and seek a livelihood elsewhere. Pity it is our commander, who has shown so much pluck in the field, and who has shared the fatigues and hardships of the various expeditions with his men, should, by his flagrant partiality, have compelled so many industrious persons to quit a district to which they bad become attached, and which is, in every way, so [admirably adapted for the formation of a prosperous settlement. Did our commandant possess a few broad acres here, or had he even the most trifling stake in the place, he might, possibly, feel some ■light interest in the settlement, and take some little pains to promote its advancement. To these three causes then am I inclined to attribute the present condition of this place : — 1. The expedition undertaken in the early part of Jast year, which renewed the feeliDg of enmity in the native mind. 2. Exaggerated and frequently groundless reports of the state of the district, which restrained capitalist*, and men of business in general, from visiting Opotiki and learning the capabilities of the plaoe. 3. The partiality evinced in the selection of the men to do garrison duty. In common, sir, with many others, I firmly believe there is a good tune coming for the colony and the province. When the day of provincial prosperity comes round, the district of Opotiki will doubtless receive the attention it so well merits on account of its agricultural and grazing capabilities, and will become an important and thriving settlement. The " scheme" has failed here as it has elsewhere. Other than military settlers will develop the resources of Opotiki and enjoy the fruits of her prolific soil. Apologising for the length of my communication, — -I am, &c, GIiASSFOBD M. SCOTT.