THE Thames Advertiser. MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1874.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1898, 24 August 1874, Page 2

THE Thames Advertiser. MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 1874.

The native meeting at, Whakati wai came to a rather sudden and abrupt terminatioa on Thursday, owing to a strong disinclination on the part of leading Ohinemuri chiefs to talk any more about their lands in the presence of strangers and listeners. But some very important talk did take place, aud the substance of it has been reported by a special correspondent sent over on behalf of this journal, and is printed to-day in another column. From this report it will be at once seen that the implacable opposition of Te Hira, Te Moaninui, and others has not been broken down, and that they still declare that, they have not the least intention of parting with any of their lands. The question naturally asked on all sides is, how much nearer to the end we are, and what shape the Ohinemuri question has assumed now 1 From what came out at the meeting we gather that a great number of natives (owners or not) have bartered, a way their interests in both Ohinemuri and Te Aroha, but we are not quite convinced that the result achieved justifies the meaus that have been used to obtain it. We refer, to the vicious system of inducing the natives to run into debt and buying their lands by means of stores; or as one of the natives sarcastically described the goods supplied—by means of "rum, matches, and needles." It has been proved that a great number of both the Shortland and Ohinemuri natives have for some time past been in the habit of taking stores—or what is called by the natives Kaihana—on account of their lands at Ohinemuri and Te Aroha; and we believe that these'natives are, with a few. exceptions, the same men who are nearly always to be found at Ohinemuri, and occasionally at the Thames, persistently following Europeans about, and always ready to offer blocks of land for sale, whether they own auy or not. If the securing of the " interests" of these natives, or even the interests of whole tribes, by those ignorant of native titles to land, is all that has been accomplished after so long a delay, then we say that the land purchasing policy of the Government has been a complete failure here. The interests of such natives could have been bought at any time for the asking, and this fact is well known to any one who is at all versed in native matters. - We look in vain to see that anything has beeu done towards breaking down the sulky opposition of those chiefs of the Upper Thames who apparently have the whole of the other natives under their control. We see a miserably lama attempt made to prove that Te Hira wss a parly to the land selling transactions of some of his people, because his grandchildren had taken some of the stores so liberally offered to Ohinemuri natives, but the old Maori pelled the charge with grief and indignation, and declared in the most emphatic terms that he would hold on to his " bone." Not being able to prove the charge against him, it was then argued that he was a participator in the benefits of land sold outside the Ohinemuri district, but even this charge could not be substantiated, and remains "not proven." The policy of land purchasing disclosed at the meeting seems to have been this: to allow certain drunken and unprincipled natives to enter at will into stores and take whatever they thought proper. The storekeepers' accounts seem then to have been taken and recognised: by the Government, who at once charged the same against the lands of the natives, and thus by buying, a3 it were, storekeepers' debts, the Government of New Zealand obtained liens over the Ohinemuri country. A similar policy was once pursued at Hawke's Bay, and it resulted in . the appointment of a Government commission to inquire into the matter, to prevent a disturbance amongst the natives of that place. The only difference at Hawke's Bay was, that the storekeepers having encouraged the natives to run into debt quickly, handed the debts over to a third party, who immediately came dowD upon the ■ natives. In the case of the Upper Thames the Government appear to have stepped in at an opportune moment and relieved the storekeepers of perhaps questionable liabilities (if. they were properly inquired into), and so stopped any further investigation. ..Would it not, we ask, be' a little more n accordance with' that spirit of , fair-play, about which, the civilised man

is so fond of boasting, if it could be shown either that To lliia has taken payment- for his iuterest in, or a portion of his claim to, Ohinemun lauds, or else that he has not an interest in the whole of the lauds of that district ? Perhaps the latter might be a little difficult to accomplish, especially if we consider the "mana," or authority that some chiefs have over'the lands of othengj| and which was exemplified in the of VYiremu Kiugi and Te Teira in the Waitara affair. But whatever difficulties there may be in the way, we believe that the Ohinemuri country can be opened at once for gold mining pur-' poses, if the Government aud Mr Mackay really wish it opened, without resorting to the device of bringing down the sins of his-grandchildren upon the head of Te-liira.

We are told by Mr Mackay's friends that he ; is not responsible for the peculiar manner in which the natives have been induced to run into debt with certain storekeepers, because he was compelled to leave the district, and leave the work without supervision or control. A great blunder was certainly made by the Government in allowing Mr Mackay to retain two appointments, and to carry on land purchasing by deputy. They should have appointed some other person to see that the work was properiy carried out, as they might have foreseen that by delaying the matter a chance would be given to private speculators to secure some of the most valuable pieces of agricultural country, which otherwise might have become public property. Mr Mackay could not possibly discharge the two duties with satisfaction to the public, ;and it was not to be expected that the natives would wait the pleasure of a Land Purchase Commissioner to take .their lands, when private individuals, were ready with the cash, waiting for an opportunity to do so.

We should really like to know why there is so much " mystery" about land purchasing in this district, and how it is that private individuals can buy over tha heads of Government agents with-. out resorting to mystery? Why are not Land Purchase Commissioners instructed to treat openly with the natives, and to pay them in gold, and gold only, for their lands 1 This policy is now carried out in the Bay of.Plenty district, and has been eminently successful. Why cannot the land'transactions take place at large meetings of , natives, where everyone interested can be present and hear, what is going on ? Ohinemuri could be opened - to-" morrow if the Government would the word. In December last' they could have unlocked the door of the country, but when the people of the Thames tried to persuade them to do so we were threatened all with arrest for treason! Bounce, however, did not prevent us from agitating the question, and silly threats did not deter us from pointing out and exposing the evils of the. policy lately pursued. We have now a word of advice to offer to the natives themselves—and especially to Te Hira and his followers. If they wish to keep the balance of their lands, they will at once open Ohinemuri. It must be apparent to them that they will lose every acre if they continue the present system, and the only way to save the remnant is to adopt the policy pursued by the Shortland natives, who are. now wealthy, landowners. They cannot stem the. tide, and the only chance for them is to go . with it.

One: of the most important measures of the present session of the Assembly is the Auckland Waste Lands Act, introduced by Mr John Sheehan, and passed through the Lower House successfully. To the people of this district the Act is specially beneficial, as will enable his. Honor the, Superintendent to place at the disposal of the rainef, or others, sections of rural lands, which may be, or have been, acquired by the Government in the Upper Thames or elsewhere' in the province, under the homestead and deferred payment systems. The Superintendent may proclaim blocks to be rural lands, and, divide the same into the same into three' classes. The third class may be leased for 35 years, all minerals or timber being reserved, except such of the latter as may be required for improvements or. domestic use. One half the total areaof first and second*cla<B lands is to be sold for cash at auction, and the Superiatendent may set apart blocks of each of these to be open under the homestead or deferred payment systems, of which the ; following are the conditions of selection provided by the Act :•*

The area allowed to be selected ; by; each . person of the age of eighteen years or upward, shall be of first-class lands fifty acres,.or of ■ second-class lands seventy-fire acres.' And for persons under eighteen years of age, of firstclass lands twenty acres, or of second-class lands thirty acres: Provided--that the total quantity to be selected by any one family or number of persons occupying the one household shall not exceed two hundred acres of first-class •: or three hundred acres of second-class lands. . Within three months after the selection been approved by the Commissioner, the selector shall commence to reside on his selection, and shall continue to reside continuously thereon for five years from the date of such approval as aforesaid. Within twelve months after silch approval, the selector shall erect on his selection ,; a permanent dwelling-house of wood or other \ materials, which shall be specified in regulations to be issued in, reference to hom.esteid system selections. In each year there shall be . brought under cultivation one-tenth of the area • " of such , selection if open land, and one-twen-tieth if' bu3h land, so that at the end of - the ' term of five years one-half ' of the selection if open land or one-fourth! if bush land shall be : under cultivation. Non-performance of any of ' the foregoing stipulations shad render the ■ selection°void, : aud the right of the selector therein and to all improvements thereon shall be forfeited. At the end of the said period of five years, a grant or grantsshall issue for the. . land selected, . ... Selections under the deferred-payment system shall be subject to the following' conditions The area to be selectel shall be, double the area allowed under the homestead "system. The area to be brought under cultivation io each yearshall bear the same proportion to the whole: a t Qj, of selection as iu the case of a homestead' selection. The price to be pail for such lands' - shall be the same as that hereinbefore fixed for rural lauds! of the same quality put, up to, auction, aud it shall be payable at the end of five years after tho data of approval of the selection by the Commissioner. There shill be, paid by the selector a yearly rontaha advance of five pounds per cantum upon the anuaut ot the purchase money until the expiration of toe said tern of fivoyew}. WitWa oao woatt^

after the expiration of the said period of five years, the purchase money shall be paid by the solictor to the Receiver of- Land Keveaue, and thereupon the grant or grants for such selection shall be issued to the perto.is entitled thereto. Nonperformance of any of these conditions shall render the selection voi 1, and the right of the selector thereunder, and to all moneys paid on account thereof, and to all improvements effected thereon, shall be forfeited.

—The conditions here set forth are so liberal, and of such paramount importance to the welfare and prosperity of this section of the proviuce.in view of the speedy acquirement of Upper Thames lands suitable for settlement aud agricultural purpose, that we sincerely trust no obstacle will be interposed to the passing of the measure in its entirely through the Upper House.

From the report of the native meeting at Whakatiwai it will besem that the Native lands Court is to be adjourned until November next, and will probably be held jit Obinemuri. As some of the blocks in that distiict are then to be put through, the sitting of tho Court will be an important one. We hear on good authority that if the Governor and Mr McLean, recommend Te flira aud Te Moananui to consent to the opening of Ohinemuri, they are likely' to accept the advice, to sw the balance of their land?, and in that ease the country will probably be opened at once. It is also said that Mr Puckey urged this course some time B S°- ,

The English mail closes at 2.30 this afternoon, and leaves the Manukau to-morrow afternoon par Government steamer 'Luui.'

The steamer 'Southern Cros?,' Captain Holmes, arrived at Tavaru at 2 o'clock yesterday morning from Napier, with 250 sheep and 58 head of cattle, to the order of Messrs Banks and Co. These were landed in good condition, and the steamer left for Auckland lato last night with 11 passengers from Napier.

Messrs Holmes Bros' fine new side-wheel steamboat, intended for the passenger trade between Auckland, Corotuauel, and the Thames, made her first appearance in these waters oa Saturday night' bringing a goodly Dumber of excursionists. She made ber official trial trip in Auckland on Thursday very successfully,'under the direc ioa of the Government Engineer, Mr Stewart, who pronounced her admirably adapted for the trade. A large number of visitors then accompanied the Messrs Holmes on the trip, and on the return they were entertained in the saloon, where "Success to the new enterprise" was toasted amidst cheers, She left Auckland on her first trip to the Thames on Saturdayafternoon, and made a quick run down Yesterday she made an excursion to' the opposite side of the Firth of'lhames, landing her passengers at Whakatiwai. A large number availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting the place, which, has attracted so much attention lately on account .of thelaige assemblage of natives. ■■■ The majority of the natives had left, but the number remaining in the encampment was still large, The steamer riurnet with the excursionists at about o o'clock, after which she proceeded to Auckland, On her official trip, with a pressure of 3olb, the ' Haurafei' attained a speed with wind and tide of 9| knots, and of 7| knots against both. With full pressure it is estimated that 11 kaota will be done under ordinary circumstances. The - engines, which are diagonal, and ou the highpressure principle, were constructed by Mr C, Hawkeswood. They are surface condensing, and are fitted with expansion valves. 'Iheir nominal strength is 60 horse-power, but they can be worked with safety up to nearly 100 horse-f ower. The ' official trip, although marred by an accident whereby Mr McDouald, the engineer, had his thumb so much crushed by the mamachinery,that he had to be taken ashore and have the upper portion amputated, was in other respects highly successful. There cm be no doubt that the new vessel will be a very valuable addition to the trade of the Thames, where she will he constantly engaged in running from Auckland after the launch of the Coromandel packet, now iu course of construction for the engines of the old 'Challenger.' The'Hauraki'will leave Auckland to-day for Coromandel,. and ou Wednesday will again leave Auckland for Coromandel and the Thames returning from this place at 6 p.m. on 'l'hursday.

The proprietor o£ the English Opera Troupe must have regrette-l that a prior engagement necessitated his making Saturday's night's performance the Last appearance of the troupe at the Thames. The theatre was literally crammed in every part, many in the dress circle, us well as in other parts of the spacious building, being compelled to stand. Such an assembly was proof that the Thames public fully appreciated the musical treat provided for them by this talently company. The opera of '•Der Freischutz" was performed, and to ilia credit of thu company we must say that although it was their last night it waslmounted with the most artistic effect, and performed in its entirety. The great incantation scene was one of the most artistic and curious displays of fireworks we have witnessed on a stag--, and a weird effectiveness was cast over the stage by the varied lights produced. There was" one drawback Miss May was not able to act her part in consequence of the lameness to which we have previously alluded. Mr Allen apologised for her, stating that although the accident to her foot would prevent her from moving about the sta*e, she would sing as well as usual, and so she did,- fully sustaining her well-earned reputation in the exquisitely pathetic music of the part of Agatha. Mr Hallam deserves the utmost credit for his parformat)cb of the role of Max, in whieli -he exhibited more than ordinary ability as a vocalist, From first to last his impersonation was a splendid success. In the part of Anne Miss Lambert achieved one of her greatest successes, This lady possesses a well-trained and a peculiar method of adoping herself happily to such vivacious roles as that in which she appeared to such advantage on Saturday night. At the close of the second act Mr W. Bowe went on the stage and said he had been requested by a large number to lender the thanks of the ■ Thames public to the opera company, He was quite sure they would carry with them the best wishes of the Tharnts people, and their career would be watchedjvith deep interest by those to whom their visit had afforded such pleasure. He wished them long life, happiness, and success. In the finale Miss Howe relieved Mis 3 May as the heroine, Soon after the close of the performance the company proceeded to Auckland by the ' Golden Crown,' which had been detained for them. They appear to-night in the Auckland Choral Hall, and proceed to Napier by the' Southern Cross' to-morrow.

The English mail, by the E.M.B. 'Tartar,' is now due. The steamer will proceed to • Sydney, from Auckland, immediately on arrival. Thesa 'Hero' took the following passengers for Sydney and Melbourne:—Saloon to Sydney-Mis C. T. Wren, Messrs J. Lackland, E. J. W. Larnaeb, H. D, Laruach, Miss F. Wells. .Saloon to Melbourne-Mr JSmith. Steerage to Sydney—Mrs D. Ryan, Miss McArtby, Messrs McKeggie, Cooney, Morton, .Greaves, J. Fielding, J. M.Fielding, HSanky, Steerage to Melbourne—4, Pearson, Mr and Mrs Bowden and children, The Grahamstown correspondent of a Coromandel contemporary is responsible for the following': —iij the way, an interesting case F of conjugal infidelity is likely to engage our attention, in which a well-known legal manager of rather advanced years occupies the foreground."

Mr Benjamin-Calmer was admitted yesterday a barrister and solicitor of. the Supreme Court, after a vsry successful examination. Mr lialmer served his articles with Mt Tyler, of Grahamatowu. —

The Otago Guardian says •'that although there is a nominal strength on the Yolunteei rolls receiving capitation allowance of II,OOC men, of tbe3e there are not 500 men who c ulii go through their manual, and firing exercises correctly; His time,the force was dismissed, The money and time wasted in theYolunteei Knice could bq much better employed," - v