(published daily). THURSDAY, SEPT 11, 1879. THE CONFISCATED LANDS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XII, Issue 9511, 11 September 1879, Page 2

wanganui Herald. (published daily). THURSDAY, SEPT 11, 1879. THE CONFISCATED LANDS.

A discovery was made by the Native Minister about the 14th April last, which lets a flood of light into the question of the confiscated lands on this coast. Arriving at New Plymouth about that date he conferred with Major Brown, Mr Parris, and Mr Mackay, and explained to these gentlemen that the main object of his visit to Taranaki was to " ascertain what foundation there was for the statements made in many quarters, and believed in a great many others, to the effect that important promises made by the Government in rsepect of the West Coast confiscated area had not heen fulfilled ; it being broadly stated that the existence of these unfulfilled promises had a great deal to do with the recent interruption of the survey of the Waimate Plains." This is extraordinary commentary on the Native Department, and alone would be sufficient to condemn it. Nothing more is required to show the mischievousness of personal government, or the evils to which ifc is certain to lead. Were the consequences not so great, the thing would be laughable in its absurdity. A flying trip is taken to Taranaki to find out what should have been recorded in the Native office, and after two hours conversation the mystery is unravelled, and the cause of an impending rebellion discovered 1 The next strange proceeding is the despatch of Mr Mackay to ascertain the native mind with the reason assigned for employing this gentleman. " The fact of his having no official connection with the Government gave him unusual facility for acqutring a knowledge of the real views of the natives upon the question." Another good reason for getting rid of this Department — when its officers are distrusted by the natives themselves— and when outsiders have actually to be employed on account of that distrust to ascertain what the natives think upon a i given question.

The information obtained on this occasion is very important and far more definite than what we were accustomed to from the game gource. We gb.aU not;

deny Mr Sheehan the credit of putting his information in a form which prevents any misconception of the position, nor shall we be so unjust as to accuse him of ignorance of what ought to have been on record,whenthe record itself had not been made at the time of the transactions, before his enteiing upon office. There are five blocks of confiscated lands between the Waitotara river and the Hangatahua river, each of which has a distinct history, and must be treated separately. There is the Stoney River Block, the Parihaka Block, the Opunake Block, the Waimate Plains, and the Southern Confiscation Block lying between the Wailotara and the Waingongaro rivers. The Stoney Fiver Block contains about 18,000 acres, lying between the Hangatahua river and the Waiweranui stream, extending by natural boundaries to the summit of Mount Egmont. The conclusion at which the Conference of April arrived was that, though the legality of the confiscation was complete, a promise had been made to return the Block, the Native Minister being convinced that " as a matter of good faith, the waiver is morally complete." Without questioning the assumption that some promise was given, we venture to assert that the looseness of the transaction has never before been paralleled. If a promise has been made, we. suppose it must be kept, but first we should have evidence as to the circumstances surrounding the promise. If it were a question between Europeans, the thing would not stand for an instant. What we urge is,finality in settling the dispute, as we are not surprised that "the natives concerned in this block of land express the same feeling of insecurity and distrust at the delay which has taken place in the completion of the transaction." The Parihaka Block extends from the southern boundary of the Stoney River Block to the Moutoti Stream, near Whitiora. Here stands the settlement of Parihaka, with its prophot Te Whiti, the area of the Block being 80,000 acres. It is satisfactory to find that no promises whatever have been made respecting this Block, though our action in asking the natives for a site for a lighthouse, and to take a line of road and the telegraph line through it, has given the natives tho idea of ownership, The Opunake Block extends from the Moutoti Stream to the Tannajatara Stream and back to the summit of Mount Egmont. "This Block stands in almost the same position as tlie tttoney River Block, and has undoubtedly been promised to be given back to certain hapus of the Taranaki tribe," Government taking about 1500 acres around Opunake Bay. The head of one of the hapus is William Kingi Matakatea, a prisoner at Wellington, and a very old friend of the Europeans. We now come to the Waimate Plains, extending from the Wahamoko stream to the Waingongora river. The only promises made in respect of this land were that ample reserves should be laid off for the natives, and that a gratuity (talcoha) of 7s 6d an acre should be paid to the original owners for giving up possession. It appears that the instructions of Sir Donald McLean on this head were to be confidential, but it also appears that the natives have been for some time aware of them. The Southern Confiscation Block includes the Momahaki, a portion of which was recently sold and is being settled on. The memorandum of the Native Minister admits that grievances of various kinds exist, and we are left to speculate as to the reason why action has not been taken before now to set them at rest. " What is wanted," the Minister obsprves, " is to determine finally the rights of the claimants, to locate the reserves, individualize their title*, and issue their Crown Grants." And why lias all this not been done ; why this penitence, this admission of maladministration, if the grievances were reasonable before ?

Now it appears to us that there are three important questions which will have to be dealt with. The first is, Should the promises, even when loosely made but relied upon by the natives, be given effect to ? The second is, Jf they should be fulfilled, should immediate steps be taken towards that end ? And the third, Should all personal claims and grievances be immediately enquired into by a qualified authority, and satisfied where they are found to have a substantial existence ? We answer all these questions directly in the affirmative. We care little what the natives may think of the matter. Because there has not been a policy of combined justice and firmness in the past, is that a reason why we should delay entering upon such a policy when we believe it to be sound ? The Native Department has confessed its ignorance of ifcs own promises and engagements, the nonfulfilment of which has brought us to the point of hostilities. That is a good reason why an outraged people should demand that the Department should be suppressed as a dangerous and mischievous excrescence. The reign of law and order in native affairs should be at once ushered in, and the natives treated with the candour and in the manner expected for itself by the colonising race. This is the time for taking a fresh departure ; and we think confidence to the natives might be restored by a vigorous and impartial redress of all ascertained wrongs ; as confidence to the Colony might return with the abolition of personal government in the management of native affairs.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club took place last Monday night, at the Empire Hotel, Wellington. Sir Wm, Fifcznerbert occupied the chair. In the absence of Mr Lyon (the secretary) Mr Cronabie acted for him. From the report of the committee it would appear that while the racing at the last meeting was considerably better than at any prior one, the financial result was not a success. The stakes paid were £200 in excess of any previous gathering, but the entrances and acceptances were less by about £120. The gross receipts for the past year were £1834 7s Bd, of which £1415 17s wag paid in stakes, and as the balance waß required to meet necessary expenses, the stewards were unable to reduce

their overdraft at the Bank of Australasia. There was a great falling off in subscriptions from the general public. The following officers were elected :— President, Sir Wm. Fitzherbert ; vice-President, George Hunter, Esq.; Stewards, Messrs Braithwaite, Levin, Thompson, Jackson, Young, George, and Dr Diver ; Judge, Mr Pearce ; Starter, Mr Young ; Treasurer, Mr Reid. Some discus-, sion took place as to reducing the value of the stakes for the future, one gentleman suggesting a reduction of one half. The subject, however, dropped, it being understood that it wa i one for the stewards to deal with. The proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

It is rumoured in London that in the probable event of Sir Bar tie Frere resigning the Governorship of the Cape, Sir Hercules Robinson will be transferred there Heaven preserve Isew Zealand from Sir Bartle Frere, whose policy of mingled philanthropy and bloodthirstiness is generally condemned at Home.

It is curious to note the interesting facts that crop up in the course of ordinary conversation. Not long ago we (Manawatu Times) observed in the papers an obituary notice of one of the earliest settlers in New Zealand, who had passed away at the ripe old age of 105 ; but the other_ day, in the course of casual conversation, it transpired th »t two o£ the pioneer settlers of this district, Mesßrs J, and W. Whisker, are descended from a still more long-lived family. Mrs Whisker, sen., is now in her ninetieth year, and her two maiden aunts, the Misses Stuarfc, afc tho date of last advices from Home, were hale and hearty, one being in her 120 th and the other in her 110 th year 1 This is the greatest age attained in modern times that has come under our notice.

Public interest in the expected bonus declaration of the Mutual Provident Life Assurance Society is very great. For the information of those ot our readers who are anxious to know when the declaration will be made, we (Post) may state on the best authority that the bonus certificates will arrive in Wellington during the first week of next month— October. The quinquennial meeting is to take place in Sydney on the 30th instant, and we are informed by the local secretary, Mr Lowe, that the directors are not willing that the exact amount of the bonus should be made public until the certificates are issued just before that date. At the same time we are enabled to publish the following information in respeot to the bonus, which is contained in an official communication to the secretary :—": — " The magnitude and success of the society's operations during the last five years are probably without a parallel in the history of British life assurance, and the bonuses now declared in view of the very stringent reserve which has been made for the liabilities are sufficiently large to challenge comparison with those of any existing kindred institution of similar age in any part of the world. The society being now firmly established on the moss Btaple basis, and in the possession of enormous profit produoing resources, offers unusual advantages to cersons seeking assurance."

Andrew Duncan, Esq., solicitor, at the unanimous request of the local School Committee, consented to be nominated for the vacancy on the Education Board, caused by the retirement of Major Noake. As we pointed out in our last issue, the administration of the Board by means of Committees requires that another town member should be elected. It is satisfactory to learn that a gentleman so eminently qualified for the position has been selected, and moreover one who has a warm sympathy with the cause of educational progress. We trust his return will be secured.

It will be remembered that a few days ago Detective Warren made a clever arrest of a man named Thomas Green, who was charged with severa 1 petty larcenies, and on whom » number of skeleton keys were found. The prisoner was sentenced to a year's imprisonment, and the Department of Justice this morning presented Detective Warren with a cheque for £3 as a reward for the ability displayed by him, in tracing the offender and effecting his arrest. — Post.

There was a moderately full house afc the Volunteer entertainment last; night, which, being nearly the same as on the previous occasion, there is no necessity for us to notice again in detail. The performances were got through with satisfaction to the audience, the farce of" Nan, the good for nothing " provoking roars of laughter.

The Serenaders will perform on Monday and Tuesday next for the benefit of the Driil Shed Fund. Those who wero pleased with the first attempt of our local Bones and Tambourine will, we think, find them improved.

The elections decided yesterday (Wednes* day) were greatly in favor of the LiberalsIn Christchurcb. two seats were gained, Sir George Grey and Mr Andrews winning the places formerly filled by Messrs Richardson and Moorhouse. The defeat of the Hon Mr Richardson is another blow at the late Continuous Ministry, the office of Minis ter of Public Works having been filled by that gentleman. In Auckland City Bast Mr McCosh Clark has again suffered defeat, this time at the hands of Mr Speight, a comparatively young man, and a prominent Good Templar. The victory, however, was due to the fact that Mr Clark declined to give any pledge to support Sir George Grey, while Mr Speight avowed himself a follower of the Premier. At Olive Mr Ormond managed to heat the Hon Mr Sheehan, although the contest was a very severe one, and the result in all probability wonld have been different had Mr Sheehan been able to cauvass the district.

Elections at Franklyn, Marsden, Wellington Country Districts, Ashley, and Clutha will be decided to-day (Thursday) . The contests will be keen in each district, with the probable result of strengthening the Liberal side.

There is some reason to fear that an error in respect to .Returning Officer for Hastings will invalidate the Napier election. Mi Gralpin, who was appointed Returning Officer for that place, lives at Havelock, of which the principal Returning Officer was not aware and he directed the registered letter of appointment to Galpin, at Hastings, and in the Post Office there the letter remained. As soon as it became known in Napier that there was no polling booth open at Hastings, Inspector Scully went up, and at 11 o'clock the booth was ready for voters, and was kept open until 6 o'clock. It was understood that Capt. Russell.Mr Sutton,and Mr Maoey were prepared to sign a paper mutually consenting to allow the error to pass unchallenged, but Mr Buohanan refused,because of some illnatured reports circulated by violent parfcizans, who attributed the error to a design to favor the Ministerial candidates.

For some time past the good folks of the English communion afc Ashburton have been greatly troubled about a gilt cross being placed over the communion table. The morning paper of the town, in its issue of Tuesday, says in reference to this innovation that a " truly horrible act of sacrilege has been perpetrated at St Stephen's Church. On Sunday the large gilt cross, which has long been a weapon of offence, in fact a stumbling block to some of the members, was missed from its accustomed place in front of the communion table. Ifc appears that the sacred emblem has not been merely removed, but stolen. When or by whom the terrible crimejagainst Christendom tvas committed no one knows. Some of the congregation are fearfully indignant, while others are chuckling in their sleeves."

Dr Geo. Wilk'ns was again brought up at the B.M. Court, yesterday morning, on a charge of drunkenness, when he was lined £1 or 48 hours.

Mr Gibbs, the Engineer employed by the County Council to explore the rival Murimotu lines, has returned.- His report will be ready for presentation to the next meeting of the Councili

The danger of putting lighted pipes into f he pocket was illustrated by a son of Mr Hines, of the Grudery Hotel, New South Wales, the other day. The young fellow drove into Forbes township with about £50 in bank-notes in his pocket. He put his lighted pipe in the same receptacle, aud when he got to town found the bank-notes represented by a heap of ashes resting in the lining of his coat. — North Otago Times.

The Oamaru coffee room was opened last Wednesday, and was well patronised. About 80 persons visited the rooms during the evening, and appeared to be greatly pleased with the arrangements. The front room overlooking Itcheu street is fitted up with some half dozen tables with chairs, and is supplied with the daily papers and other current literature. Immediately behind this are the bar and ladies' room, also Very commodiously fitted, while the kitchen, containing all the requisites for cooking is at the back of the building. The quality of the coffee and edibles was pronounced excellent, and there can be little doubt that the rooms will receive considerable support. — North Otago Times.

At the District Court yesterday, the case of Levy v Beaven was decided in favour of the plaintiff, who obtained judgment for £113 8s 6d, amount realised at sale, aiid L3O Oa 6d costs, which includes the costs of previous hearing. The case occupied the court nearly the whole of Tuesday and Wednesday.