ARRIVAL OP THE HON. MR BALLANCE

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 126, 31 October 1885, Page 4

ARRIVAL OP THE HON. MR BALLANCE

The Hon. J. Ballance, Native Minister, arrived at Onehunga on October 27, and was met by Cr. Morrison, and driven into town between eight and nine o'clock. He took up hia quarters at the Star Hotel, where he was interviewed during the day by a number of persons on matters of no public importance. He visited Queen Makea at 2. 30 p.m. Mr Ballance leaves Auckland on Thursday or Frfday, in response to an invitation for some of the leading Maori chiefs, who are anxious to see him on matters effecting the land, rail way,and native generally. He will remain Waikato two or threedays, anl will probably return by way of Taupo, "as the natives there desire to see him. He will not deliver any political address during his stay in Auckland, In conversation with one of our reporter? this afternoon, Mr Ballance said that Kahui, at whose reqnest he opened the road near Parihaka the other day, was formerly one of the leading fencers, and a most troublesome man to the Government. He now expresses himself as disgusted with Te Wbiti, and has come over to the Government with the whole of his hapu. Be says he will stand by them, and manage his owu land in h ; s own way, and by himeelf . Mr Ballance considers the opening of the road as most important, and believes that it will tend largely to brake down the Te Whiti movement, as the road passes near Purihika. Te Whiti is disgusted at the step Kahine has taken, and says he has been the first to break up the land. Mr Balcombe, who was especially invited to open the road, was cordially received, and accorded three cheers in British style, and was very hospitably entertained by the natives. In the course of an interview with a "Star" reporter on October 27, Hon. Mr Ballance said he intends to go largely into the question of the administration of land during his stay in Auckland. He will ccc the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and the Chief Surveyor with the view of promoting the settlement of land in the whole of this provincial district. Under the new Land Act, the power of settlement is extended graatly, 'and the clauses dealing with the settlement of small runs, useless for agricultural purposes, are specially applicable for a large extent of country in the North Island. Auckland should, therefore, benefit considerably by Mr Ballauce's ViBit> i■, ' XL Hon. J. Ballance was engaged during the whole of Oct. 28 attending to private questions brought before him. A deputation of brewers, publicans, and others interested in the liquor traffic waited upon Mr Ballance late this afternoon on matters affecting the trade. Their business was understood to be of a private character, and at their request the representatives of the press were excluded.