WANGANUI.

Wellington Independent, Volume XV, Issue 1401, 27 January 1860, Page 5

WANGANUI.

From the Chronicle of the 19th we are happy to learn that there is a prospect of negotiations being renewed for the purchase of the Waitotara block. The sad effects of delay are, .however apparent in the difficulties likely to spring up as regards price and the reluctance of some to sell,

" It would appear that at the least something is about to b« done towards completing the purchase of the Waitotara block. After eight or nine months' shilly-shallying, Mr. S. Deighton has been autherised by the Commissioner Mr. McLean, to negociate with the natives ; and Mr. Stuart, who bas bceu engaged for some time in suiveying the recently acquired land in the Manawatu, has arrived in town on his road to Waitotara, to assist in laying off the boundaries of the native reserves. We are much afraid Mr. Deighton will find his no easy task. The natives now are not in bo good a disposition as they were six months ago, the protracted delay that has taken place has allowed tbera to cool down and damped their ardour; they are now talking of claiming as reserves at least one third of the best laud and most available portions of the block. The original deposit of £'500 paid to them seven or eight months ago by Mr. McLean has never been appropriated by them, their proclaimed iutentiou now being, in the event of their not being able to gain what th^y consider the price for their land, to return the £500 deposit. No one can more regret Mr. McLean's late illness than we dd ouri elves, but surely Mr.

Deighton might have received his appointment, long ere this, and have been furnished witbitfee; necessary wherewithal to conclude tbe^ba.rgajyit) Certain are we, that now a much larger sufn of money will be required, and inoie difficulties have to be encountered, to obtain a perhaps less valuable block of land, than would bare been the case had the affair been concluded ofi hand." ■