THE AROHA BLOCK ONCE MORE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1618, 28 April 1879, Page 3

THE AROHA BLOCK ONCE MORE.

Somewhere about eight or nine months ago (says the Auckland “Herald”) Mr Broomhall was finally got rid of as mpects Te Aroha, and much rejoicing was expressed that one of the fines' portions of the Thames district was to be opened at last, and that persons who had long been waiting were to have an opportunity of acquiring land for settlement and cultivation. It might have been supposed that long ere this the land would have been sold, so that work might be commenced. Now we hear that surveyors have stopped work, owing to disputes amongst the Natives about their reserves, and in that case, as there is nobody on the spot with authority sufficient to decide the differences, the whole thing may be hung up for some considerable time. There is another impediment, too, of even greater importance. No arrangement has, it seems, up till now been made about the reserves, and the “ Thames Advertiser ” states that they may lock up the best of the land as the Natives are claiming nearly the whole river frontage, where the most valuable land is situated. It is thought that the reserves will amount to not less than 8000 acres, and if the Natives have the selection of the land, they will infallibly “ pick the eyes” out of the block. Their quarrels will not prevent them doing that. Then, £IO,OOO worth of the land has boon sot apart for an endowment for the Thames High School, a proceeding whose advisability wo doubt. With these drawbacks, Te Aroha will not do so much good to the Thames as expected. It is a pity that proceedings wore not taken long before this time, in regard to these reserves for the Natives. The Maoris have obtained a good price for the land, and by clover dealing with the reserves, by monopolising the good sites on the river bank, they will, undoubtedly, receive back greater value than they parted

with. Europ.ans will be disgusted, and vi’l, not, care to give a high price tor land in the block when they cannot get the best part ol it, and when improvements may be impeded by the existence of these reserves. Then the Government calculated upon obtaining a tiandsurne sum from the Sale of Te Aroha tow ants the coat of railway works, and in this respect they will be dis ippointed.