THE WAIKATO SETTLERS. (From the "Southern Cross.")

North Otago Times, Volume IV, Issue 68, 8 June 1865, Page 3

THE WAIKATO SETTLERS. (From the " Southern Cross.")

We believe we we right in stating that the General Government and the Provincial Executive have come to an understanding in reference to the location of the immigrants introduced by the colonial authorities for the settlement of the disturbed districts. This understanding is based on mutual concession*. _ The provincial authorities submitted the terms of which they were willing to undertake the task of locating the immigrants, and the Colonial Government accepted them. It is a matter of deep regret that public confidence should have been shaken iu regard to the.se' settlemeuts ; but the mischief

that has been done, though great, is not beyond recall. The province is deeply interested in the success of the settlement scheme, as a barrier against future native aggressions, and a guarantee towards the repayment of the heavy local charges incident to the war. Any measure, therefore, of an equitable nature, tending to that end, ought to meet with the unanimous approval of the people of Auckland. And we believe that, so far as the arrangements have been perfected, the public will endorse his Honor's acts, and assist him in every way in carrying out the scheme. The agreement covers those who are already in the colonv, and those who are to arrive in connection with the Waikato settlement. So the question about removing this population from the province may be considered as definitely settled. They are to be located in the districts which they were brought here to occupy, the General Government stipulating that, although the Provincial Government may employ them in any part of the province, this is not to interfere in any way with the original intention of forming permanent settlements. In this stipulation, we think we recogniie the effect produced on the minds of Ministers by Mr Cardwell's despatch, in which the necessity of military settlements is explicitly urged. The province is to provide for the location of the immigrants, and secure employment for them for such a period as the Provincial Executive may deem fit, but at least not less than two months after the land h*s been allotted to them for settlement. The General Government is to defray the cost of surveys. But inasmuch as there are no provincial funds directly available for this object, it is agreed that the General Government shall issue 8 per cent, debentures at par, to carry out the scheme, in sums not exceeding in any month £15,000 ; and the Tuakau block is to be conveyed to the province for the sum of £18,000, which sum, together with the advances by debenture, is to be a charge against the province, the time and manner of repayment being left to the decision of the Assembly. Thus, it will be seen, that by proper management on the part of the Auckland Pi ovincial Government, the Waikato special settlement scheme may be made a success.