OUR HOME LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5491, 23 June 1879, Page 2

OUR HOME LETTER.

_ i,i a torv of the colonies during the Th ? n th has been of a more than PM n fnterestin" character. The As"Tblv caUed together, "for the dSSK business," on the 11th of July. the Governor is now on a visit to this part of the colony, and our -latior* with the natives have been, m one part of the North Island, of a some--o—ries we have stated the events on the West Coast of the Sx Wand. In that district a Srge extent of confiscated land has been iriL unoccupied by Europeans ever since the proclamation of conuacation was Sued 15 years ago. The natives had actually resumed possession of it, in Xreat part, and were unwilling to give it up No Government has ventured to touch it till the present came into office, when the advance of settlement, and the necessity that the land should be sold for the purpose of assisting in the construction of a railway in the district, determined the present Ministry to push on the survey, with a view to the sale of the land. Tho surveyors were allowed to proceed w ith the work a certain length, and were then stopped by the orders of Te Whiti. The surveyors were quietly and peaceably removed from the ground. It has appeared since that the late Native Minister, Sir Donald McLean, had made certain promises to the natives in respect to the land, and it would seem that before anything further is done, these will have to le inquired into. All seemed to become quiet again, when, on the 27th of Hay, a party of natives came on to a piece of land at Oakura, about seven miles from New Plymouth, and commenced ploughing, by. iray of asserting a claim. The land belongs to Mr. Courtney, of New Plymouth, and is part of that confiscated for rebellion. A few days after another party commenced ploughing at Opunake, some distance along tho coast. Te Whiti, who has directed these aggressions, is a very remarkable man. He is a fanatic, believing himself to be inspired. He has lived at Parihaka ever since the war, his mind brooding on what he believes to be the wrongs of his race, while he has read deeply into the prophetical parts of the Scriptures. He is withal sagacious and prudent, and has a large share of worldly wisdom. The speech which he made at a late meeting at Parihaka, and which we print elsewhere, gives an excellent portrait of the man, and it must be confessed that some of his sayings are well worth meditating by Europeans. The natives are profuse in their professions that they will not fight. The GoTernment have, however, taken every possible precaution to defend the settlements. The force of Armed Constabulary

in the district has been largely increased, "while numerous Volunteer Companies

have been formed amongst the settlers.

A good deal of alarm prevailed at the time when the natives first came upon the

land, but this has now subsided. His Excellency the Governor, Sir Hercules Robinson, visited New Plymouth shortly after the ploughing operations began, in company with the Premier, Sir George Grey, and the Colonial Secretary, Colonel Whitmore; and they had several meetings with the settlers, arranging for the defence of the district, and for the conduct of affairs. Inquiries are now being made,

and the natives are being encouraged to state their grievances. We believe there

ia very little chance indeed that there

will be any breach of the peace. Only a few hundreds of natives are influenced by Te "Whiti, all located in his neighbourhood, at Taranaki.

On May 30, Kewi, the great chief of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, came to Auckland in company with the Native Minister. Hitherto, Kewi has been the chief supporter of Tawhiao, as the King and all his people are living upon Ngatimaniapoto land. Tawhiao having rejected the proposals made for peace, Rewi lias taken np the matter, and has expressed himself willing to enter into an agreement with the Government in respect of his land. The desire is, that a railway should be put through the fertile territory between Waikato and Taranaki. Kewi wa3 " lionised" in Auckland. He had a public reception, and was taken to see all the sights of the town. Hβ left on Friday last, in company with the Governor, for Waikato.

HU Excellency the Governor is now on hid first visit to Auckland, having arrived at Onehunga on the 16th. June. He was accompanied by Lady Robinson, Captain and Mrs. St. John, Miss Robinson and Master Robinson, and suite. The reception accorded to His Excellency, of which ire give an account elsewhere, was a very cordial one. Sir Hercules Robinson has just left New South Wales, where he ■was exceedingly popular, so that the people of New Zealand have had a good opportunity of becoming acquainted with hia A ball will be given to His Excellency on. the 26th June.

Tie Assembly will meet at Wellington on the 11th July, and political parties are now making active preparations for the campaign. The Ministerial programme is not known yet, but it is believed that the Grey Government will propose to go to the London market for a loan of three millions; that they will propose an increase on the land-tax, so as to affect the larger estates; and that a Representation Bill will bo introduced. The Government have offered to Sir William Fitzherbert, the present Speaker of the House of Representatives, the vacant Speakership of the Legislative Council, and he has accepted the office. Mr. G. M. O'Rorke, Member for Onehunga, will be a candidate for the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives, and will receive the support of the Government. It is reported that the Opposition will put up another candidate against Mr. O'Rorke, so as to inflict a defeat at the very commencement of the session. It is as yet far too early to venture any surmise as to the prospecte of the session.

Just now, when the native difficulties

«re_ a paramount subject in public notice, the census of the Maori population which wae made last year presents various features of interest. Of course these returns cannot in all cases be yery close or accurate. There are certain districts -where no regular enumeration can be made, and where it is only possible to loosely estimate the number of the natives, while in other districts again, where " the Queen's ■writ runs," the old suspicion and dislike of having their numbers counted, impeded i* it did not oppose the task of the enumerator; and Ibis seems to have been the

casein certain parts of the East Coast. In general, however, it appears from the roports that there was no antagonism to the work, but quite the reverse ; and even in those quarters where an estimate had to be formed from other data than regular '. enumeration, we see reason to believe that the returns are really approximate, and are sufficiently close to afford a fabcomparison of the numbers of the tribes. The total Maori population last year waa set down at 42,819 persons, amonowhom males over fifteen were 14,553 in the great peninsula north of the Auckland isthmus the natives have been for a long tune on the most cordial terms with the colomets. The various hapus are comprehended in three tribes—the Ngapuhifl, the Rarawas, and the Haupouris, or Te AupourL Their total number ik stated at 8,395, of whom 2,840 are male" ov er fifteen. O£ these, the Haupouri, who Uve at the extremity of the peninsula, are now very few, numbering under 650 inW^', The tribe, .the S gt glomal settlement, w tV terribl! turned, bitten with the idea "of imitating iaMaon-land the career of Bonaparte*

Accordingly, having brought with him a quantity of firearms, weapons which were not yet acquired by the tribee, he made a round of the Island, conquering and exterminating as he went. Many of those scenes of slaughter are still pointed out in various quarters. A more illustrious Ngapuhi chief was Heke, who so stubbornly fought against us in 1846, and whom old soldiers who served against him speak of as a chivalrous enemy. The Ngapuhi and the other peninsular natives are now, and long have been, our allies, and this wa3 shewn at the recent Kopua meeting, when their chiefs, with, bands of followers, attended as supporters of Sir George Grey and the Queen's authority. What has been termed the King country stands in the census pap6rs under the head of Upper Waikato. Of course, the returns can be only approximate, but there is reason to believe that they cannot be much wide of the mark. The population is »et down at 3,810 mainly Waikatos and Ngalimaniapotos. Of these it is estimated that the Waikatos, divided into ten hapus, are 2200 persons ; the Ngatimaniapoto, in their five hapus, 1,070; and there are 495 of the Ngatiraukawa and 45 Wanganui— both these latter being immigrants from other districts where the bulk of their respective tribes remain. The number of males of an age capable of bearing arms is not given, as it 13 not possible in such an estimate to go into details ; but in other quarters where an exact enumeration is possible, the proportion of males over 15 years is usually not less than onethird of a tribe. It will be seen by the

foregoing figures that Tawhiao has been

shorn of a full third of his numerical strength by the secession of Rewi and the Ngatimaniapoto ; while, from Rewi's personal reputation, and the position of his tribe as hosts of the Waikato, their opposition to his policy causes the Maori King a far more formidable loss in moral power.

In the neighbouring districts, outside what has been known as the King country, there are tribes or hapus which have acknowledged, and perhaps may still own, allegiance to Tawhiao. In the returns from Raglan, Aotea, »nd Kawhia, which, represent the Wejt Coast country

down to the Taranaki border, we find that

the aborigines there are 1321, and of these it is calculated that 820 are " Kingites " and 501 "friendlies.' . All are

Waikatos, excepting 177 of the Kgatimaniapoto. The Waiuku and Waikato tables include the territory confiscated after the war of 1864-5. The number of natives is 987. The name of Waikato rarely figures in the tribal list which is given for this district, but most of the names are really those of what were subdivisions of that once powerful confederacy. The Waikatos— like the Iroquois or "Six Nations" among the American aborigines—were a union of many clans ; and just before the wars which were so fatal to them in the last decade, their population was supposed to be not less than 24,000. Though that estimate includedboththeNgatimaniapoto and the Thames tribes, who were also connected with the confederacy, we are now inclined to think that it was considerably in excess of the real numbers, even at that period. The tribes comprehended under that generic name have produced, in our time, two men whose ability is sufficient evidence of the intellectual capacity of the Maori. Tarapipipi (William Thompson) was a sincerely patriotic chief, far-seeing, and with much organising faculty. Always concerned with the idea of staying the decline of his race, and comprehending that war with the white man could only hasten its ruin, he strenuously opposed the Waikato war of 1864, and the preceding intervention of the Waikatos in the Taranaki war. The depression of spirit caused by the prostration of all his hopes and plans hastened his death. As for Rewi, his military talent has beer, acknowledged by veteran officers of European and Indian experience, and his policy at present is another proof of his mental calibre. Like Tarapipipi, he is quite competent to figure on more than a tribal stage. The returns headed " From Alokau to Waitotara," embrace the Taranaki province, now the scene of another native difficulty. The Maori inhabitants are stated at 3,440 souls, of whom 1,335 are males over fifteen. The population is almost exclusively of the three old local tribee, —namely, a branch of the widespread Ngatiawa, the Taranakis, and the Ngatiruanui, to which last Titokowaru belongs, our old adversary in 1868. We have allies among the tribes in the adjoining Wanganui country, and others in the Wellington province as well as on the East Const. But we hope and expect that the present state of things will not lead to hostilities, which, in the first instance, would damage the colonists, and ultimately ruin the hostile native tribes.

It is to be hoped that the Government or Waste Lands Board (the Government are, we believe, the responsible parties) will act on the representations of the inhabitants of Ngaraawahia, and settle the lands in the vicinity of that township. For years— indeed, ever since the war—a large district of country has been kept vacant, in order that the Government might have land in their possession to give to Tawhiao and the Waikatos, if they came in. Sir Donald McLean even went so far as to purchase blocks which had been sold to Europeans for that purpose. The offer has been made, and Tawhiao has refused to accept. The natives will not be asked to take it again—of that they were distinctly warned; and in his address Sir George Grey, doubtless with the object that all the Europeans in the colony should see the statement, made a clear announcement that the lands which had been kept so long vacant would be so no longer. The people of Ngaruawahia can claim that the Premier has pledged himself. The result of the refusal of the terms by the settling of the land, which is a natural sequence, will be a great increase to the prosperity of the whole of the Waikato, and especially to the district around Ngaraawahia.

The prosecution of Mr. Robert Graham by the Government, for occupying certain native lands in theßotorua district, terminated on June 2 by a decision of the Justices that Mr. Graham was guilty of the charge laid in the information, and the Bench inflicted a fine of £5, with £72 17s law costs. The defendant's counsel raised a large number of legal questions, at great length. The argument on both sides is of considerable public interest, shewing the relations which subsist in respect to negotiations for the purohase of native lands between the Govern - meDt and the natives; the general public and the native owners; and the Government and European inhabitants of the country. The Court over-ruled all the objections taken by the defendant's counsel, but we believe it is the intention of the defendant to carry the case to the Supreme Court upon appeal The of the caee will, therefore, be authoritatively laid down by a judge of the bighor Couit. The witnesses for the defence swore ponitively that all these negotiations were absadoned by the Government before Mr. Graham went en the land. The natives swore they invited Mr. Graham to occupy'the land. Mr. Graham's counsel said there wae no queetion of the defendant having ever purchased or attempted to purchase from the native owners to the detriment of the Go- I vernment negotiations. The main point' relied upon by the defence was that the Lands Act of 1878 under which the information was laid, could not be incorporated with the Native Lands Purchase.Acts of 1877 and 1878 ; that the remedy provided by these Acts was a civil process. The Court would not receive any evidence as to title. They consented to hear evidence as to want I of bona fides in the Government negotiations. Mr. C. O. Davis deposed that he was instructed to abandon all negotiations for the lease of these lands, and he proclaimed that fact to the Maoris.

Of the 107 teachers from the whole colony who passed at the March examination, the results of which have just been gazetted at Wellington, Auckland sent up 55. O£ the 28 that passed in class D., Auckland has the honour of furnishing 9, about one-third Of the 57 that passed in class E., Auckland claim 3 no fewer than 42, about threefourths ; but of those 22 who passed in elementary science (or laws of health) only Auckland sent 4., less than ono-fifth. Of the 55 sncceasful candidates sent by Auckland, there were 37 pupils of the Auckland Training Institution, and one who had been receiving private tuition, by correspondence from Mr. Worthington. Altogether, we think Auckland did very well at the examination.

Through a correspondent we have received from Tawhiao a "domestic item," which, on account of its political importance, will interest the -whole community, and not the ladies only. A few days ago, Tawhiao's last and youngest wife, who'is a sister of the well-known "Dicky Diamond," was, at the palace at Hikurangi, safely delivered of a son. The Maori Court, no more than the Courts of European monarchy, does not escape scandal. Not very long ago Tawhiao sent away one of his wives, not caring to trouble the Divorce Court at Wellington. His Majesty has even a half-caste brother, , who has fair chances of succession to the throne. Tawhiao will not hear it said that he is a half-caste, and by a physiological fiction he is supposed to be a Maori.

It is rumoured that the members of the Opposition will, at the opening of Parliament, teat their strength and that of the Government, by putting in nomination either Mr. Seymour or Mr. Bolleston for the Speakership of the House of Representatives, in opposition to Mr. O'Rorke, who will be nominated by the Ministry as successor to Sir William Fitzherbert. We know that correspondence to this effect has taken pleace among some of the leaders of the Opposition in the South, but when they assemble at Wellington, it is probable they will find some of the party unwilling to oppose Mr. O'Rorke's nomination on party grounds. It is generally admitted, on both sides of the House, that Mr. O'Rorke has fairly earned the position by his public career, and that he is well qualified for it. In the Auckland district 20,000 properties were valued under the provisions of the Land Tax Act—as many as were valued in Otago—shewing that we have as many holders here, although a large part of the province is still native land. In the province of Auckland there are about half-a dozen persons, or associations, whose landed property is valued at above £100,000. To ehew what a lenieut tax this is, we may mention that the amount payable on land worth £100,000, unimproved, and held for speculation, is only £208 6s 83.

Ub Worship the Mayor of Auckland has recoived an application from the Colonial Secretary of Fiji, asking him to assist in procuriug a supply of vaccine-lymph. A vessel from India, with small-pox, put into the port of Levuka. She was carefully quarantined, but the Colonial Secretary fiudiug that the supply of vaccine-lymph in bis colony was very small, made this application, with a view to bavtog it increased. The Mayor has forwarded the application to Dr. Philson. The Auckland Museum and Institute has lately received two interesting and valuable donations from Mr. T. J. Mackelvie, of London, a gentleman well-known to many here as an old Auckland resident. The first is an extensive series of African curiosities, collected on the coast of Lower Guinea during a succession of trading voyages by Mr. John Whitford, F.R.G.S. Altogether, it comprises 150 articles specially selected as illustrative of the weapons, implements, clothing, arts, &c, of the various negro tribes along the coast. The specimens are all in a good state of preservation, and will be valuable for comparison with the ethnological collections already in the Museum from the Polynesian Islands. We understand that Mr. Whitford had intended to deposit the collection in the Liverpool Museum, bnt was prevailed upon by Air. M ickelvie to hand it to him for presentation to the Auckland Museum. The other addition is to tho library of the Institute, and was specially purchased by Mr. Mackelvie. It consists of a complete set of the publications of the Royal Geographical Society, from its foundation, in IS3O, down to the present time—some 70 volumes in all. It is well known that since its formation the Geographical Society has been the medium through which most travellers and explorers have made known the results of their journeys, and the mass of useful and interesting information thus collected and published is very large indeed. The geographical discoveries made during the laat 20 years in Central Africa are particularly well described, and are illustrated by numerous maps and charts, many of which were specially prepared for the Society. Nor is information respecting other countries wanting. The results obtained by the various Arctic expeditions are given in their order. Persons interested in the Afghan war and the Central Asian question will find many papers bearing on the subject. India, China, North and South America, are all treated of ; in fact, it would be difficult to point out any important part of the earth's surface of which some information is not given. Mr. Mackelvie could hardly have selected a more appropriate donation, and we feel euro that members of the institute, and readers of the library generally, will often have cause to thank | him for hie kindly and thoughtful liberality.

A few days ago a moat important discovery was made at Whangarei, —a native named Puketawa having found a large seam of coal cropping out on a block of land named Kioreroa, purchased by the Government five years ago. As oar readers are awsre, coal, of excellent quality, is already worked at Kamo, a few miles from Whangarei, and this is no doubt the same seam. The position, however, has this advantage, that it ia within a chain and a-half of deep water, and is close to where vessels usually lie. We hope the Government will lo3e no time in making arrangements to lease the land, so that it may be energetically worked.