THE Otago Daily Times. "Inveniam viam aut faciam.” DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1864.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22654, 20 August 1935, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. " Inveniam viam aut faciam.” DUNEDIN, SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1864.

SEVENTY-ONE YEARS AGO.

If the sentiments expressed by Sir George Grey at his recent interview with the Tauranga natives are to be accepted as a key to his future policy in the administration of the Confiscation_ Act, there is reason to hope that the violent wsr party in Auckland will have their hopes of territorial acquisition disappointed, and that the natives will not be driven to that pitch of desperation to which the policy advocated by the Southern Cross would certainly drive them. ...

What is the present position of affairs? Let us for a moment review it, and the policy to be adopted will suggest itself at once. The neck of the rebellion is broken; the natives have been driven from a large extent of territory, war, disease, and famine have terribly exhausted them, and they are willing to submit on honorable terms. The Imperial Government, lavishly generous in the time of need, has demanded that the natives shall be firmly but leniently dealt with, and insisted on the speedy liberation of the troops. The Colony cannot unaided persevere in a long war, its trade and revenues are being wasted in an unprofitable expenditure, and colonisation is at a standstill. The door is open to peace—which may be obtained on honorable and reasonable terms. But it may be closed effectually by insisting on conditions which we have no right to demand. . . .

We are informed that Mr W. R. Miller has sold Run 205, Taieri Lake, the property of Messrs Studholm Brothers, containing 40,000 acres, with 8000 sheep, to Messrs Main and Gardiner, for L 16.000. The Southland Times of the 16th instant states that no additional information has transpired since Saturday to throw further light on the new gold discovery. ...

The Oamaru Times says:—“Our new Post Office is now complete, and ready for occupation—in fact, we understand that it will be open for business next week. The building is handsome and commodious, and appears admirably fitted for the purpose intended. The window accommodation is ample, and this we consider a great desideratum. Mr Grenfell, who contracted for completing the erection after the mason work was finished, has done ample justice to it. All the interior fittings are appropriate and substantial, and the ground surrounded by a strong fence.” Mr Warden Crocker, on the 13tii August, writing from Gabriel’s, says:— “Mining matters continue in a very satisfactory state. It is in contemplation to form a Company for the purpose of bringing from the Waipori to the Blue Spur, Gabriel’s, twelve to fifteen heads of water.” With reference to the recent surrendering of the Tauranga rebels, the New Zealand Herald says:—“The territory of the Tauranga and Ngaiterangi tribe contains about 400,000 acres. The amount therefore to be confiscated, one-fourth, will be ample for the purposes of military settlement and for all the objects contemplated by the Government—while the natives themselves will be left with a large tract, equal in extent for each family to what few country gentlemen in England can boast of possessing.”