THE NATIVE MINISTER AT PATEA.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 558, 14 February 1878, Page 2

THE NATIVE MINISTER AT PATEA.

[per peess agency.] Patea, February 13. A deputation of the Patea Council interviewed the Native Minister this morning, amongst other matters referring to the "Waimate plains. Mr. Sheehan spoke very decidedly, and Major Brown (Civil Commissioner) was called in at Mr. Sheehan's request to hear what transpired. Mr. Sheehan then said that no trouble or expeuse would be spared in the matter of getting the plans settled. He has full confidence in Major Brown, and gave him carte-blanche to act as he thought best. He had informed the natives that he would not allow any interference in the settlement of the confiscated land. The Government were very firm on this point, and would not yield one inch. They would take care that adequate reserves were made for the natives, and that abundant fishing reserves should be left for them along the coast. He understood that a number of persons, including the licensed native interprc ters, had interfered with the natives, making the confiscated lands question difficult to settle, and he intends to give ] Major Brown full power to deal with them. He intended to take the advice of the la.v officers of the Crown, and prosecute if necessary. A stop would also be put to Europeans grazing cattle on Waiinate plains in the way now being done. He was in favour of settling a portion on deferred payments, and soiling others for cash-, and would take care that the portion sold on deferred payments was of equally good quality with the cash land. Major Brown then informed the deputation that he would use every means in his power to bring the 1 ind between the road and the sea into the market as early as possible, and that he had informed the natives to that effect. He was going to interview the Waitotara natives this afternoon, and i-itended to tell them that the Government were firm as to the survey of confiscated laud at Momahaka, and would not allow the survey to be stopped. Local matters were favourably received.