FIFTY YEARS AGO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21116, 25 February 1932, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

EXTRACTS FROM THE HERALD. MAORI LAND CLAIM. The following are 'extracts from the New Zealand Herald of February 25, 1882: In connection with Rewi Maniapoto's stipulation for a certain territory " to be secured to the Maori people," there is one point which the Native Minister, Mr. Bryce, might have taken up. When Rewi names Piroreia, Kakepuku, Tongariro and White Cliffs as the boundaries, Mr. Bryce might have told the chieftain that he was including a Government land purchase. Some time about 1858 or 1860, the Government bought and handed over to the province of Auckland a large block of land at Mokau. Disturbances growing with the Maoris, it became unsafe as a residence for Europeans. The land is undoubtedly ours and we apprehend that neither Tawhiao nor Rewi would for a moment question our right if it were pointed out to them. The Otago Times states: " We are not surprised at the objection of the Governor, Sir Arthur Gordon, to living at Wellington all the year round. It is in many respects the feast eligible spot for his residence. It is very disagreeable and unwholesome. The smells in front of Government House are not to be equalled for deadliness elesewhere in the colony No sport is to be got, no amusement ot any kind, no exercise unless His Excel lency happens to be a boating man. Wellington is so situated that the Governor might live there during his term of office and see nothing of the country or the people. When the seat of Government was at Auckland the Governor vvas familiarly known to the Northern community. When he paid a visit to the South it was prolonged and friendly. Since the removal of the Government to Wellington, all this has changed." Negotiations for concluding a new Anglo-French commercial treaty having virtually collapsed, M. Tirard, rrenc Minister of Commerce, has introduced in the Chamber of Deputies a bill that English goods should receive tno most favoured nation treatment m tn tariff.