OKAIAWA SETTLERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 167, 2 November 1881, Page 2

OKAIAWA SETTLERS.

Mr. Bbyce having replied to the Okaiawa settlers that their proposed redoubt would be too small to be effective, their proposal to erect one fell through. Since then they have determined to enrol themselves as a separate volunteer corps, and thirty of them have telegraphed to Major Stapp and requested him to swear them in. They, as well as others throughout the district, as far as Opunake, many of whom have found employment growing slacker during the present state of uncertainty in respect to native affairs, seem desirous of being called out on active service and placed on pay. Mr. 'Bryce, however, sajs, " I am eseeefli»^lj» ra>wilii:»g to call out fov service settlers on the Plains, as I believe that wonld be equivalent to warning all families in, but I will not delay it a moment after I think there is urgent danger." There appears to be a difficulty in this matter. The single men on the Plains, who, as a rule, have only small buildings, and many of whom have not much stock to lose, are generally quite willing to be placed on pay for active service at once. The married men see plainly, that if they are called out on active service, they must find quarters for their wives and families elsewhere. Upon the whole, as it is certainly wise to let the work of settlement proceed with as little disturbance as possible, Mr. Bryce's determination not to call the Plains' settlers out, seems the right one. If there is no fighting, work will be resumed everywhere at once with renewed vigor ; if there should be fighting, every able-bodied man will be wanted at once.

It is somewhat curious, that the de-ferred-payment system should have become involved with the Native difficulty. But bo it is. The settlers near Okaiawa complain that they have fewer resident neighbors, and that in consequence, they are less strong for defensive purposes, than they had a right to expect when they bought the land. Some of the deferred-payment land has not yet been occupied, and they say that according to the Land Act, it should have been forfeited and resold. It cannot be denied that much dissatisfaction exists in connection with this subject. The Ranger's first report has been denied publicity, many bona fide settlers believe that evasions of the conditions have been attempted* and. they wish, to see the questions thoroughly enquired into, the shufflers exposed, and bona fide residents in their place. Not one man has any sympathy with the administration by secret tribunal, which has been attempted, and under which conditions required by the Land Act are set aside, one man's application for transfer is granted, and another's refused, and some supposed dummyism is allowed to prosper unchecked for a year without any open Court being held, where defaulters may excuse themselves if they can, or whers objectors may « bject openly, as is usual at Land Boards, while face to face with those affected by their objections. It is never safe to depart from the original conditions of a written contract, as the Government has done in this case, and the danger of .doing so, has been, shown by some of the settlera, asking are the condition of residence annulled ? The extension of time has pleased- no one, inasmuch, as both sheep and goats have been left mixed up, instead of being drafted at the appointed season, when laggard settlers should have been whipped up, and defaulters Bummarily dealt with.