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New Zealand Herald, Volume X, Issue 3696, 15 September 1873, Page 2

JODGE Eichjtond's report of the Hawke's Bay Alienation Commission has been published. The report was laid upon the table of the House on the sth mat. Our Wellington correspondent telegraphs as follows : — Judge Richmond's report is generally regarded as inconclusire and unsatisfactory. Most of the efila complained of by. the natiTes are admitted in the report to have existed, and yet the general verdict is in favour of the purchasers ; for instance, the fact that the lands were not paid for outright, but " taken out" in the truck system is admitted, but passed on without censure. He farther shews that in some cases " grog" found as high, as 40 per cent, in the consideration, ana yet he considered such conduct Tenial. The report further shews that the reservations and conditions on the part' of the Europeans were omitted from the deeds of sale, and only came out on the investigation, but the Judge says in all cases " undertakings were given to set the matters right," and adds there is no ground.for supposing " that the omission was fraudulent." The complaints as to unfair division of purchase money are dismissed very summarily, on the ground of "long acquiescence," while the fact remains that there was no suoh acquiescence. As to briboa and secret consideration-money, the report is silent, although it is admitted that the secret stipulations for grants to Karaitiana and his brothers were deliberately pre-arranged with the purchasers. The interpreters also are whitewashed. The report shews that thtf Messrs. Hamlin were to be paid a lump sum, " if successful," and adds that such a proceeding is palpably objectionable, and yet concludes that theHomlins acted all through as upright men. The report also condemns the practice of employing Government officers to act as interpreters, yet no censure is passed on the Heretaunga purchasers, when it was proved that high Government officers employed other Government officers to act as interpreters and negotiators for them. As to the natives being without legal advico or assistance, and being entirely dependent for such advice or assistance on the purchaser and his agents, the report, while admitting " that these would be serious objections in a court of equity, between Europeans," gives no weight whatever to mch objections from natives. The report goes on to say that there is no ground for the complaints made by the natives, yet a large part of the report is occupied in proposing such alterations in the Native Lands Act as will prevent grievances arising in future. The reports of the Native Assessors have not yet been sent in.

Thb Diseased Cattle Aet Amendment Act contains eighteen clauses. The term " cattle" includes horses, sheep, and pigs. Other animals may be brought within its operation if necessary. The Governor in Council may declare what diseases Bhall be within the meaning of the Act. The schedule comprises the following diseases, which may be dealt with without any declaration being necessary :— Glanders, murrain or pest in horses ; catarrh, foot and mouth disease, murrain, pleuropneumonia, rinderpest id cattlo generally; flake, or liver-rot, scab, smallpox, in sheep ; swinepox in pigs. Importers of cattle must produce a certificate, by a veterinary surgeon at the port of shipment, that he inspected the cattle before shipment. These certificates must be attested before a Justice of the Peaoe or a notary. All cattle must be landed at a quarantine ground duly appointed for that purpose. There is a provision for compensation where cattle are destroyed, and large discretion is given to Resident Magistrates and Petty Sessions for this purpose. The destruction of cattle must be ordered by a local "cattle board," who may also appoiut places to which, cattlo may be driven from the quarantine ground. Sheep infeoted with soub may be dressed, neglect of such dressing to be visited by a penalty of not less than £10 and not exceeding £100. The provisions of the Aet may be applied to one class of animals, and only in respect of a particular part of the colony. The expense of carrying out the Act is to be paid out of money appropriated by Provincial Legislatures.

His Honor tlio Chief Justice, while administering the Government of New Zealand, visited Kawhia Harbour. Ho gives, in a despatch to Lord Kimberley, an interesting account of the natives there. They are great sufferers by their self-imposed isolation. Several of them wero in rags, and apparently ill-fed. Others exhibited unmistakable Bigns of disease, though winter had not set in. This despatch ia very suggestive. Sir George Arney met there Tu Tawhiao. Tho interview, as recounted by His Honor, had some elements of the pathetic in it. Though nothing is expressed as to the " position" of the place, or the policy of the Government, we caunot help thinking that there is some blame to be attributed to successive New Zealand Governments in not occupying this excellent strategical position. Sucli occupation would effectually prevent the organisation of the native population for aggressive purposes. The impunity allowed to Maori murderers arises from the fear of an attack upon frontier settlers. Surely the possession of such a place as Kawhia would have the moral effect that an ever-present military force would hare to punish offenders. The cost no doubt is a difficulty to such occupation, but tho security afforded would be an ample equivalent.

The schedule of expenditure of the Legislative Department of the Oolouial Government is an interesting paper. The whole is £20,420 10s. lOd. We observe that the expense'of some hou. membora of tlio Houses of Assembly are just double, in Boaae instances treble those of others. Some of the items include carriage expenses—to the port of embarkation, we presume. Where this is by ordiuary stage it is intelligible, but where carriages hare to be provided it is not so easy of comprehension. ,We do not of course suggest any impropriety, but the figures look disproportionate. The total is very large, but looking at tho business of the session we see what we get for it.

The Native Lands Court sat during the period from the Ist July, 1!172, to 30th of June, 1873, in Auckland, 288 days ; in Wellington (counting sittings held by the Judge and the

j Assessor), 636 days. Tbe number of aores to ' which title has been ordered is :—ln Auckland, 221,776 acres; in 'Wellington, 270,111 acres ; and in Hawke's Bay, 12,542 acres. The last-mentioned orders were made by a Judge and an Assessor at the Hawke's Bay Alienation Commission. The fees received have been £425 13a 6d. The new claims now pending are 535j 145 testamentary orders have been applied for, and 47 issued. The number of interpreters' licences issued is 11.

The ee is published with the Government papers a very encouraging report of the state of the Native Schools in the Hokianga district, by Mr. Spencer "Von Sturmer, the local Resident Magistrate. There are 58 pupils at Waima. The Waitapu school has 44 pupils ; this school is Bpoken of in terms of high encomium. Mr. H. Williams speaks in similar terms of the Native Schools in the Bay of Islands district. The Oromahoe school has 43 scholars, 38 attending regularly. The Waimate school has 79 scholars, 48 of these attending regularly. The progress in " pronouncing " English is said to be imperfect, but in writing, reading, and arithmetic the advance is very marked. The native contribution is regularly paid. In the Hokianga school needlework i 3 taught to girls.

The Tauranga harbour lands comprise some of the best soils in this province for all kinds of agricultural purposes. Mr. Follet Halcombe has reported to the Q-eneral Government upon lands suitable for settlement of immigrants, and mentions this district as particularly eligible for the location of immigrants. The blocks referred to include Te Puna, Katikati, and a portion of the lands re-granted the surrendered Ngatirangi. The extent of these lands is 32 miles by 12 miles, lying between tbe Upper Thames Valley and Tauranga harbour. The Maori block includes 114,000 acres; the military settlement lands, 35,450 acres ; and at the disposal of the Government, 105,000 acres. Mr. Halcombe is of opinion that a great number of persons on the Thames diggings would purchaso and occupy if the lands wore made accessible. Increased facilities of communication between the Thames and Tauranga districts should be opened with as little delay as possible.

Tb:ts steamer Phoebe, so long running between Southern ports and the Manukau, will, after her nest trip, be placed on the berth to run between Sydney and the Manukau. This arrangement has been made in contemplation of the speedy opening of the Onehunga and Auckland line, which will result in bringing the north-east and south-west sides of the peninsula into close and almost immediate communication. Vessels will discharge their freights almost directly into the goods carriages, and then, after a short and rapid run, they will be placed in the warehouses of consignees and importers. The Auekland and Onehunga lines should have been opened long ere this, both for passenger and freight traffic. The delay, we believe, has bean caused by the want of rolling stock. The day which opens up railway communication between the two ports will be marked as a redletter one in the annals of the province.