THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1862.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 185, 19 June 1862, Page 4

THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam." DUNEDIN, THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1862.

Doubtless most of our readers have noticed how rarely anticipations' are literally fulfilled In no respect is this more noticeable .than in regard to the item—news. The mail that one loots forward to for important nevs is sure to bring the most uninteresting information, and when nothing out of the common is expected, something startling is sure to turn up. Expectation has been on the gui vive for the last fortnight for news from Auckland, and which it was expected would prove of the most important nature. But two mails have arrived and the whole of the intelligence may be summed up in the half-dozen words, —matters remain as nearly as possible as they were. To begin with, the information concerning Coromandel is scarcely worthy of note. Sir George Grey has visited the spot, and, after an angry interview with the chieftainess Lydia, had left her, it is said, in a more complying mood than hitherto ; in. fact, disposed to agree to anything. Here one would suppose the matter was at an end, and that the long coyeted block of land would remain at the disposal of the Pakehas. But it is always with the Maories as with the showman, " twopence more and up goes the donkey," you never can get to the end of them. Before Lydia was finished with, it appeared there was another person's consent required who rejoices in the euphonious title of Te Hira. This individual was not, to be seen, and it is understood his consent will be very hard to obtain. So it is with Maori negotiations ; there is always one more to be' dealt with ; the donkey is never ready to go up. Meanwhile there is a half uttered expression of cvi bono. The value of Goromandel is by no means so ascertained as to make it certain that the proposed expenditure is not too lavish. Even the Auckland papers cannot keep up the accounts of prodigious yields, and beyond a few rich specimens, the fact remains, that Coromandel's • prospects Test on the .imagination' of those with whom the " wish is father to the thought." The diggers, our special correspondent states, take little interest in the matter, and seem to be tolerably indifferent whether Mrs. Lydia js open to receive visitors, or declares herself not: at home. , When the block of land so eagerly desired is obtained, it is quite likely the Government wiil have to be at the.cost of

prospecting it, besides the £10,000 which it is proposed to. pay for it. Thousands! of equally good prospects in Victoria, have, to use a diggers phrase, turnpd, out shicers, and we doubt, on the information already obtained, if it will not be found that too much is being paid for the whistle. It would be rather a joke if, when the ground is .bought, no one can be found to work it. -' ' :.

In respect to the feud in the Ngapuhi tribe, no further engagement is known to have taken place. A rumor of one was afloat, hut grave "doubts were thrown on its authenticity. Meanwhile, reinforcements on both sides are believed to be coming up. Sir George Grey intends to visit the spot, but as our special correspondent at Auckland says, it is difficult to see what he can do. He is not prepared to interpose authoritatively, and to take on the British Government the onus not alone of deciding the dispute, but of enforcing the decision. He will trust to chance and the tact which rarely deserts him, but his interference, without the determination to back it is likely to have as little weight with the Maories, as the Chinese gongs had in fighting our army. Meanwhile the Assembly is to meet, (at "Wellington it is supposed) and business not unimportant either in quality or quantity, is likely to engage' its attention. The English debate in March —with the subsequent action on it in the reference to Sir George Grey is too serious to be allowed to pass I unnoticed. The ■ colony may have a voice in Maori matters, but ;it is also expected to find the cost. The Imperial Government generously propose to hand over [ a charge which for years 'they have'1 found equally difficult and costly to manage. It is true it is not proposed to make the entire transfer at once, but events evidently tend towards that direction, and the colony, once having accepted the charge, must continue to retain it. The Ministry will have to come prepared with a definite policy; and the House will have to declare what responsibility it is willing to accept, and what it is willing to contribute towards the maintenance of the troops, and towards the armed peace to which it seems Sir George Grey's inclinations point. The question will be brought on almost immediately after the Assembly meets, and it is difficutl to prophesy its termination. If men can be found to take the place of the present ministry, the latter's tenure of office would not be worth a day's purchase. Commanding neither confidence out of doors, nor united amongst themselves, if they continue to exist they will do so only in virtue of their weakness.

" Like things within the cold earth found— Alive, when all's congealed around." Servile alike to friends and foes, instead of commanding the House, they will consent to be its tool or drudge, at the disposal of whatever majority is in the ascendant. One hears much of New Zealand statesmanship, but its practical exemplification in the Fox Ministry demonstrates only too clearly that the men most fitted to guide the helm of the State, have come to the conclusion that " the post of honor is the private station." To parody a wellknown quotation, with which young ladies justify their choice, of aged husbands—they will neither be the darlings of one party, nor the slaves of another.