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Evening Post, Volume XV, Issue 286, 6 December 1877, Page 2

A telegram has been received from Patea to the effect " that the stoppage by the Government of the survey of the Waimate Plains, when everything was ripe for success," has raised a strong feeing of indignation among Europeans." The ' telegram also states :—: — " The Maoris are in high glee all over the district, and say the confiscated land will all be returned. Serious complications are expected, and a bounceable attitude on the part of the natives is already developing." It will Ij a serious blunder on the part of the Government if they do not proceed with the survey. The Waimate Plains form the finest part of the confiscated lands on the West Corst. They consist of a magnificent block of open land, situated on the north side of the Waingongoro River, and capable of supporting thousands of settlers. The confiscated land l3tween the Waitotara and Waingongoro rivers has all been bought and occupied by settlers, but the Natives have hitherto resisted the occupation of the land north of the latter river. It is stated by the Wanganui Herald " that the survey of the plains had been arranged to commence on Monday last, but the surveyors engaged to do the work have now been discharged, and a rumor has gained ground that the supposed confiscated land is to be given up to the natives." It will be a most serious blunder if this land is ever given up. It belongs to the Crow a by right of confiscation, and the Government should insist upon their right to survey nnd sell it in convenient-sized blocks, so that it might be occupied by a large number of settlers. If this were done, tlie native difficulty there would soon* disappear, because the . jttlers fcaing numerous would be ouite able to hold their own. It would be little less than a calamity to r'low the finest block of land in New Zer'and to go back into the hands of the natives.