OCCUPATION OF KAWHIA.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 6568, 5 December 1882, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF KAWHIA.

A TOWNSHIP TO BE ESTABLISHED, AND THE HARBOUR BUOYED. The Government intend early next month to lay off a township in Kawhia, on a piece of land formerly owned by a Mr. Charlton, and situated on the northern Bide of the harbour, but which was purchased by the Government ahout two years ago. The Government havu decided also to buoy the channel, 30 that the harbour may be opened as a port of refuge. The area of the land is forty - four acres, and this will be sold as a township soon after the survey is completed. The land is at a po'int on the north side 1 of the harbour, where the largest vessels which have been in Kawhia have chosen to anchor at, there being deep water quite close to the shore Mr, Jirycii will proceed to Kawhia about the beginning of the year in one of the Government steamers, and will establish there a pilot and a Customhouse officer. There can be little doubt that for years past smuggling has been carried on in Kawhia, and it was said that during 1 the war the Maoris were supplied with arms and ammunition at this port, which has for many years been oiused against the coastal shipping. A., a port of refuge, also, it will be ot great value. I'he bar is an easy one to take, and tin: eater is deep upon it, because ll.il. ship Ke!ipse erossedit at half tide. Cap tain Fairehi'.i, who for many years traded at Kawhia, states that he could take t lie Government steamer Hincmoa in aud out at half tide. The land to be occupied was formerly partly under cultivation, and there was also, before the war, a house ;..i;l store upou it. It was purchased from t'.u Maoris about ISoO, and for many year 3 subsequent to that date was in the occupation o: .■Jr. Charlton, but 00 his leaving it it was put up at auction at Tunks' mart, about two years ago, and purchased by Mr. Whitaker for the Government. I'fieie is 110 doubt a possibility of at once establishing a trade at Kawhia. Tile resident natives will find it convenient to purchase at the stores 011 the new township, md they will sell their produce there, which ivill be conveyed away by the trading cut:ers.

Wo believe that after dealing with Kawhia, the Government will open for sale the large block of land which they own at Mokau. This comprises tome 50,000 acres and it was purchased by the Auckland Provincial Government about ISoS. The Crown lias a clear title, which the natives have never in any way dispute.!. This block is good land, but is for the most part broken. Parts of it, at all events, are suitable for cultivation. With European settlers at Ivawhia and Mokau, and with vessels entering both the harbour and the river, it will be absolutely necessary for us to have roads through the country. Wahanui has not yet replied to the Native Minister's letter to him. All the leadiug Kingites will receive copies during the next lew days.