COROMANDEL.

New Zealander, Volume XVII, Issue 1570, 4 May 1861, Page 7

COROMANDEL.

[I'BOM A CORRESPONDENT.] I have no doubt that your readers will bo glad to hear that in this place the Natives and the settlers are on the very best of terms, and that this has been during the* past week, and a few days the previous week, abundantly expressed by the Native Chiefs here giving a feast to the whole of the Hauraki Natives, and as many of the Pakehas as chose to do them the honour of being present; and, although I am not an old colonist, yet 1 have been told by old settlers that it was the best feast that has been in the Colony, the provisions being of the best description, and would have done credit to any English gentleman entertaining his servants and friends. There were present from one hundred to one hundred and fifty Europeans each day, and among them the principal residents of this place, as well as other gentlemen and iadies from Auckland. There was a large tent erected eighty-four feet long by fourteen wide, with two tables' abreast, and the whole of this space was well filled up nearly twice at each meal, the settlers and friends being at the head of the tent, and provided for separately. The fare consisted of roast beef, boiled and roasted pork, plum pudding, tea, and very good bread, and potatoes in any quantity, fowls, &c , to which the Indies and gentlemen did ample justice—the interval between meals being taken up with games of various kinds, such as cricket, jumping, horse racing, &c., in which the Native young men took part, and the best of feelings were entertained; and, although many of the Natives have had near relatives killed in this unhappy war at Taranaki, yet they have the good sense to know that those are all in the chances of war, and overruled by the hand of Divine Providence. There was on the last two days a great meeting of Natives assembled to discuss their grievances, but as I don’t know tbe language, I am not able to give any account of them, but I Relieve that •hey will be forwarded to you by another gentleman resident here. A subscription was made on one day by the whole assembly, and a sum of twenty-one pounds raise.l. ’l'lie Natives intent! to purchase a thrashing machine with their money for the use of the whole community settled here ; this is a step in tbe right direction, and will no doubt be imitated by other tribes in the Colony’. MAHURANGI. A very Influential and numerous meeting ot the freeholders of the upper part of the Mahurangi District was held at Brown’s Mill on the 20tlj instant, when the proposition to form Mahurangi into a district under the Roads and Works Ordinance was fully discussed, and was unanimously agreed to. The general feeling of the meeting was regret that action had not been sooner taken in this matter, and that the progress of tbe district, the improvement in the value of property mainly depended on energetic action being taken by themselves to provide roads and afford facilities to immigrants now attempting to settle on the fertile and highly favoured district about the North road and the Onehunga. A general hope was entertained that the Provincial Government will render every assistance, by maps of the district and other ways, to start this undertaking, which to settlers in a scattered district is the main difficulty. Minutes ofethe proceedings of a meeting of frechalders held at Brown’s Mill, Mahurangi, on Saturday the 20th April 1801, for the purpose of considering whether it is advisable or not to petition his Honor the Superintendent to proclaim Mahurangi a District under the Public Works and Beads Ordinance of the Legilsative Council, session 5, No. 6, passed 19th April, 1845; Proposed and seconded that Capt. W. C. Daldy do take the chair. Carried unanimously. Proposed by R. C. Dyer and seconded by G. Me. Alpine that His Honor the Superintendent be respectfully requested to proclaim Mahurangi a district under the Public Works and Bonds Ordinance, Session 5, No. 6. Carried unanimously. Proposed by Mr. J. A. Brown and seconded by Mr. John Trcthowcn, that the proposed district be comprised within the following boundaries viz., Donne Range, Mullet Point, Mahurangi River, Puka Puka, Eraara’s Lino. Proposed by Mr. J. A. Brown and seconded by Mr. W. Monro that :v notice be inscribed in the New Zealander and Southern Cross newspapers informing all proprietors (not then present) of land in the Mahurangi district, that it is the intention of the settlers to petition the Superintendent to proclaim this a district under the Public Works and Bonds Ordinance, 1845 ; and any proprietors who may’ object to the district being proclaimed as aforesaid, to be requested to forward such objection in writing to His Honor the Superintendent on or before the Carried unanimously.