Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY .]

Wanganui Herald, Volume XI, Issue 2863, 26 February 1877, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY . ]

MONDAY, FEB. 20, 1877.

At the late interview between Dr. Pollen and Rewi, the celebrated Ngatimaniopoto chief, the former stated that the Government had discontinued purchasing freali blocks of land, and they would only conclude negotiations already commenced, after which " the Government would cease for the present." Thus we have a new policy inaugurated. The criticism by the Opposition of the laud-purchasing transactions has done its work. The Government have effected a complete "reform" by a practical abolition of the department ; for we cannot place any other construction on the phrase " for the present " than that the policy of acquiring land in the North Island for the purposes of settlement has been dropped. JNow this policy was one of the great features of the Yogel administration ; it was to enable it to have full play that the Native Lands Act of 1873

was passed, by whiou the Government obtained powers almost equivalent to the pre-emptive right of purchase. The money borrowed to carry on the policy amouuted to about a quarter of a million, of which ,£200,000 was unexpended at the beginning of lust session. It may take the amount to complete the purchases; and thiß would be good excuse for bringing' them to a close. But it would be an excuse and nothing more, as, if thn policy of acquiring land for settlement is sound, it could be pursued by means of a fresh loan. It seems strange that the Government should relinquish the policy jf settlement in this Island without the slightest intimation of having provided a substitute for the mode of acquiring laud which would realise the end in view.

The reaction from the go-ahead policy which distinguished the career of Sir Julius Vogel's administration has set in with overwhelming forco. We do not, however, go so far as to say that many revisions wore not demanded. What we fear is that the present Ministry will settle down into grooves, providing for thoir own safety by risking nothing and doing no more than administrative necessity may require. In thus expressing our opinion we may bn considered hostile to the Atkinson administration — than which there could be no greater mistake. The best friends are those who tell one of his faults, and as we have never abandoned the role of independent journalism, we are free to criticise acts impartially as they transpire. The estimate in which every Government should bo held cannot be arrived at absolutely or upon abstract grounds, but upon comparison with the opposite party in the state. When we therefore express our disapprobation of any portion of the Clovi'inment policy, it is simply bi-cause we do not like it, and not because wo would desire lo see them turned out of office. This digression is hero considered necessary, as there are those who misunderstand our motives and object. We consider tho great question of the day is settlement, and anything calculated to retard it is a deep and lasting injury to the prosperity oi' the colony. Jn other words we desire to see in office a colonising Government, which will bo strong enough to resist and baffle land-rings and land-sharks, and he animated by the one great principle — the location of a prosperous yeomanry on the land. Wo know tho danger to bo imminent. Wp see in Dr Pollen's announcement the first step probably towards a repeal of tho Lincl Act, and the consequent monopoly of the native lands by lease or purchase by huge companies composed of South Island capitalists and Auckland speculators. This is the danger to which we alludo. What chance would the small cultivator have of acquiring land for settlement when tho barrier between the land-shark, backed with his minions and touts, and any particular block of land were removed 1 None. Ono consequence would be that the North Island, stinted in progress from the want of population, would be distanced in the race by the South, which would soon obtain an overwhelming preponderance of political power, followed by unequal privileges. A variety of complications would ensue, into the consideration of which we need not enter at present; but suffice it to say f hat in all the accidents and exigencies of every political situation, the North would be helpless in making its voice heard with eflect. The native difficulty would of course be indefinitely prolonged ; because it must be as evident now as at any time in the history of the colony, that the only permanent solution of that difficulty is the occupation of tho land by a yeomanry class. \Vhen Sir Julius Yogel last returned to the colony from England he was not here many days before he observed that the Native land question was the weak spot in the policy of the Government, He immediately set himself to devise a remedy. The money voted for Native land purchases would soon be exhausted, and his policy of settlement concurrently tvith the execution of Public Works, so lar as this Island was concerned, ought, he thought, to be carried on by some other means than out of loan. The one weakness in the expenditure of the £700,000 for acquiring an estate of the Natives, was undoubtedly in not providing a fund, to be set apart out of the sale of land in this Island, to be used in purchasing- fresh territory. But the genius of Si>- Julius secmacl equal to the occasion. With the assistance of Sir Donald McLean, ho drew up the Native Land Bill of last session, a measure which received no favour from any considerable party in the House, but was in every way worthy of its authors 7 reputation, and might have hod a better fate if Sir Julius Yogel had remained in oillce. The principle of this Dill was to inako to mako the Government partners with the natives in the sale of all hind, the latter ?-eceiving one half of Che gross proceeds, and the Government disposing of the land under the Waste Lands regulations of the different Provinces. This system would have been better for the Natives, who would have leceived more money than they have ever done for the land they desired to sell, and it would have completely satisfied the interests of settlement." The JNative agents et hoc genus omne saw, however, that if such a measure passed, their day was gone, and they influenced the Natives to oppose it on the ground, frilse and fallacious as it was, that they were to be cheated out of half the value of their land. The Premier announced, with au emphasis which did not sound of respect for his old colleague, that, "in fact the Government had dropt the Bill." To conclude, we have a right to ask, What the Government propose to do to carry on colonisation in this Island when the land purchases under negotiation have been completed?

We regret to learn that Mr D. Scott's race-horse Haphazard, whose leg was poisoned some time ago is still suffering from the effects of it.

The man Wright, who was lately sentenced to four months' imprisonment in the Taran iki gaol at Patea for vagrancy, was to have been taken to Hawera on Friday, en route to New Plymouth, by Cobb's coach, but the driver refused to give the constable in charge aud the prisoner passages. It appears that the proprietor of the coach has on several occasions previously conreyed prisonf rs in his coaches, the fares still remaining upaid. He has now determined not to give prisoners passages unless the fare is paid before-

The usual meeting of the Wanganui-Wai-tetara Highway Board was held in the Albany Chambers to-day. Present — Messrs R. Pharazyn (chairman), James Moore, W. H. Watt,- and 11. Dymock. The raiuutes of the previous meeting being read and confirmed, the following tenders for leasing the toll-gate at St. John's Hill were opened : — D. Ballam, £405 ; R. H. Cartine, £489 ; J. Anderson, £400 ; W. H. Forder, £525. Mr Watt proposed " That W. H. Forder's tender be accepted." Seconded by Mi 1 Pharazyn and carried. The tender of J. Donovan wa.° accepted for formation aud metalling on the Kaikokopu road, the amount being £52 10s. On the motion of Mr Pharazyn, seconded by Mr Watt, W. Austin's tender for formation and culvert at the Aramoho drain for £80 5s was accepted. The tender of R. L. Christie for £43 for metalling part of the Brunswick road was accepted on the motion of Mr Dymock, seconded by Mr Moore. The death of Mr Clifford Iveson having caused a vacancy in the Board, it was moved by Mr Dyraock, and seconded by Mr Watt, " That Mr E. N. Liffiton be appointed returni.ig officer for the Waaganui-Waitotara Highway District, and that the secretary be iustruoted to inform Mr Liffiton of his appointment, and to request him to hold an election for No 5 Ward." Carried. The Engineer's usual report was theu handed in aud read. Moved by Mr Dymock " That Mr Field's offer of his services as engiueer to the Board at £200 per annum from the Ist April, subject to three months notice on either side, be accepted " Seconded by Mr Watt and carried. Tho Treasurer, Mr Ketley, haudod in a detailed statement of the receipts and expenditure in Wards Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, from Ist July, 1875, to date, which was accepted. The following accounts were ordered to be paid :— Rundell and Bassett, £24 ; Chronicle, £4 6s ; Herald £5 8s ; A. D. Willis, £1 17s ; Barns, £4 ; total, £42 11s. The consideration of the correspondence was left over till the next meeting. The secretary handed in a list of the unpaid rates, and was instructed to furnish the solicitor to the Board with a list of the unpaid rates on tho 15th March, with a view to recovering them iv a summary manner. The Board then adjourned till Mouday, 2nd April. William Ellis, better known as "Fiddler Bill," was brought before the Resident Magistrate this (Monday) morning on a charge of vagrancy, he having uo visible lawful means of support. Constable Warren stated that he found prisoner iv the shed adjoining Durie's creek pound asleep yesterday afternoon, aud knew that prisoner had not performed more than a week's work during the last six months. Sergeant Reid stated that Ellis had been arrested in the same shed on the lGth October and 7th November of IS7G, and had been charged with drunkenness s'nee. Prisoner iv defence stated that he could produce witnesses to prove that he wa3 working last week, and accordingly Mr Hardcastlo remanded him till to-morrow, to give him an opportunity of doing so. Michael Meehan, for drunkenness, was fined 10s, or in default of payment 48 hours' imprisonment.

The Argus states that the Chief Engineer aud Mr Blackctt are at present in the Wnirarapa collecting information upon which to determine the railway route through the district.

Mr L. L. Levy will wind up his preseut buincss on Wednesday, being the last day of the month. The goods are all being offered at cost pri';e .

The Rifles will parade at half-past 7 to morrow evening.

An endeavour is being made to induce a Welliugton cricketing team to play a match here on Monday, the 12th March, the day before the raoes. A decisive answer will be received from Wellington iv the course of a few days.

The anniversary services in connection with the Wesleyan Sunday School were held yesterday (Sunday), when the llev. MiBavin delivered special addresses, and iv the afternoon a public examination of the scholars took place. Hymns specially chosen for the services were sung.

The Napier races were continued on Friday, wheu the weather was beautiful, though very warm. The attendance was not so large as on the first d.vy. The results of the races were : — Hurdle Race — Wairarapal, Shark 2, Whitefoot, 3. Hawko'a Bay Stakes — Otupai 1, Peer 2, Trcgeagle 3. Produce Stakes— Tamakia 1, Louglauds 2, The Worm 3. Tradesmen's Handicap— Parawhenua 1, Tawera 2, The Peer 3. Consolation Stakes— Pretender 1, Shark 2.

Mr Henry Jolly of Marton advertises iv auothcr column a sale of £1,500 worth' of goods at reduced prices. This will no doubt induce many to pay Mr Jolly's store a visit.

A baby four months old had a most remarkable escape from death the other day, at Milton, Ofcago. The infant was lying in its cradle, when another child three years old pushed a piece of glass down the little one's throat, The glass was a piece of the broken neck of a bottle, nearly an inch and a half long. When the mother discovered the condition of the child, she carried it in her arms towards Milton, where Dr Stewart attended it. The glass was taken from the little one's throat' with considerable difficulty* having remained there for nearly an hour and a half.

To-morrow the annual auction sale of Messrs Owen and Lethbridare's rams and bulls will be conducted by Mr F. R,. Jackson, at Wangaehu, commencing at one o'clock. The catalogue of stock to be submitted appears in another column.

A branch establishment in connection with the enterprising firm of Messrs McDowell and Co., drapers, Wellington, was opened on last Saturday at Marton with the view of disposing of the bankrupt stock of Edmouson, Sellar and Co. The oheap rate at wbioh the'

goods are sold seemed to be taken advantage of by, many, as durmg the eteni^g.th^. were well patronised. , ; , , \\ fi ■ At the Resident Bfragisti ate£ Oourtfat Marton on, last j^urday two^ehn^uentglirou'giifc r by Constable Butler frqto' BUils^otf^'charges of being drunk and incapable, whose names were Edward Turner and William Simpson, were-flned-lOs each<-or «48*-lKnu?Bk« imprison^

ment ,. with, hard labqr, -^Jqhn, Shannon,, charged with being guilty bf a* similar offence -at Marlon, was also flued-lOsvwitluthe-USual-, alternative, •, , -. ,