The Taranaki Herald. "Open to All—Influenced by None." NEW PLYMOUTH, MARCH 8, 1854.

Taranaki Herald, Volume II, Issue 84, 8 March 1854, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald. " Open to All— lnfluenced by None." NEW PLYMOUTH, MARCH 8, 1854.

On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday in the last week, the natives of the surrounding'districts collected in New Plymouth to the number of two thousand, to meet Mr. Commissioner McLean, and talk over the salo of the land, negociations for which have been proceeding since that gentleman's arrival/in the settlement. The neighbourhood of the town presented a busy and picturesque appearance from the

numerous encampments of the natives, and on Monday the different tribes joined, and upwards of a thousand men, engaged in a spirited and highly interesting war-dance. The first meeting took place on Tuesday about noon, on ground adjoining the Crown Land Commissioner's Office, and a great part of the inhabitants of New Plymouth^ witnessed the interesting scene. The korero continued until four o'clock in the afternoon of that day, and was resumed on Wednesday, when it terminated, and the greater portion of the natives returned to their respective districts. Although the town was like a fair during the whole time, all passed off without the slightest disturbance. An ample supply of food — flour, sugar, bread, &c. was distributed amongst them at the public expense, and those who were present will not soon forget the scene, or the admirable patience and tact evinced by the Commissioner in his delicate and arduous task. In another column we shall take occasion to remark on important results already consequent upon Mr. McLean's visit to our settlement.

Since our last issue, the purchase of the Hua Block has been settled, and we are led to understand that that purchase'also terminates the difficulties which intervened in relation to the final conclusion of the purchase of the Waiwakaiho block, negociated by Mr. Cooper. These blocks are computed to contain upwards of/30,000 acres, and will for a time sustain the settlement. To this extent, then, is the Province already indebted to the presence of Mr. Commissioner McLean ; aud from what is bruited abroad, it would seem to be by no means improbable, that further acquisitions will be mnde to swell the list. The certain addition made to the sinews of the settlement by these purchases, woulil alone bo sufficient to inlist the liveliest feelings of satisfaction in every mind truly interested in the welfare and prosperity of the province j but, the detail of the latest of tho transactions referred to, furnishes material for a feeling still more profound — gratitude. Since the beginning of this settlement — indeed of the whole colony — the difficulty of ascertaining Native title to the lands has been a source of disturbance and disappointment, and perhaps the more so, that adding to existing difficulties, the policy of the Government further complicated such transactions, by introducing into them the minutiee of our own advanced system, and hence all negociations have been clogged and retarded: To ameliorate these difficulties, even in the slighted degree, is a work of importance and usefulness, which it were as impossible to over-rate, as it is to foresee all the latent advantages of which it may become productive. In the last purchase an important improvement has been effected, and which seems likely to operate a beneficial influence over all future transactions of this discription. In the place of tht extensive reserves for the natives which have hitherto been made, the entire of the land with slight'exceptions, has been purchased, and the natives have been persuaded to re-pur-chase under the land regulations from the Crown. One third of the money has thus already been returned into the treasury. In the present instance, we understand that it is part of the bargain that the natives shall have precedence of choice, This is one of the conditions of the purchase, and must not be complained of.