Untitled

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 4, Issue 194, 8 June 1861, Page 5

The necessity that exists for the repeal of the Native Land Purchase Ordinance and the substiUition of some enactment under which the leasing of native lands within proper restriction may receive. the sanction of law, is admitted on all hands — European and native. Nay, it is urged not merely as ah essential step towards the prosperity of some of the settlements but sis equally essential in promoting good feeling between the two races. ' Some time — perhaps years — will elapse before the native feeling will be in such a state as to lead to the alienation of more land to the government. Meanwhile, the flocks and herds of the settlers are increasing greatly, and the land upon which they can legally graze becoming day by daylimited in proportion ; while, close adjoining and unoccupied, are thousands of acres of fine grass land, the property of native owners. Is it to be wondered at that trespass on native land is a matter of constant occurrence ? The wonder, rather, if such trespass . could by any means be avoided; The natives naturally demand rent for the land so encroached upon ; but they cannot enforce such demauds when resisted, and v bad feeling, if not actual assault, may very readily be the consequence. This might be' avoided were a sysiem to be legalised under which' contracts for the use of o natiy.e,, land i could be made, and both parties be protected by, as well as v become; a^enjabie to, the law.:';.'".. -«- ■_/■■'■■' '\ -\i

It is greatly to be regretted that this question has been complicated, by the natives j on the one hand, making preposterous claims for the grazing of past years^v.and; by many Europeans, on the other, entering: into formal engagements with the natives; without. waiting for what must, soone:tor later, be realised — the individualizatiori of native titles ; or, at least, their adjustment in such a way as to preclude a doubt as tdj the person or persons authorised to receive the rents as they become due. From both these causes legislation is rendered a matter of greater difficulty than before ; while irritation between European and native may at any moment arise. An instance of the latter. l«tely came to our knowledge — a number of chiefs having threatened the destruction of a flock of sheep which had been placed on native land with the concurrence of one claimant, but not with that of the threatening parties, whose interest in the soil had seemingly been unrecognised. •The whole subject is fraught with difficulty, but we trust that the government will, this session, meet it boldly in the face.