SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1872.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 29, 6 July 1872, Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 6, 1872.

A movement in the direction of repudiation of their land transactions by the natives is being made in Hawke's Bay. Mr. H. Russell has assumed to himself the position of "Pro-tector-General" to the Native race, and in that capacity has stirred them to action by holding out the bait of successful repudiation. In explaining his intentions to a meeting of natives, he says his object is " to investigate all mortgages and conveyances of land, and, where it appears that wrong has been done to the native owners by such transactions, to endeavour, by peaceable and legal means, to obtain redress. This work will be confined strictly to transactions between private pakehas and the natives ; and I shall refrain,, as I have always refrained in times past, from interfering iu disputes in transactions between the Government and the natives." How in the name of wonder is it possible to arrive at an opinion as to the justice of a transaction which is past and done with, and the deeds recording it registered in the office appointed for that purpose, such registration making the bargain a binding one between the two contracting parties. The natives either sold or mortgaged their lands with their eyes open, that is to say if the oath of the interpreter of the deed is to be taken as worth anything. The price in the majority of cases paid for the land was quite its value, and in some it would not now realize the sum paid for it. To make this question, which is a most important one, understood, we must explain that a Native Lands Court was established for the purpose of vesting all lands on the application of the owners. The business of the court was to investigate the title of tribes or hapus to any land which it was intended to pass through the Court. If the claim was found to be a valid one a Crown grant was issued and the names of ten interested parties as the representatives of the whole were inserted in it. Unless made inalienable by the Court the land so dealt with could be legally purchased or leased by any person. No transaction could take place except in the presence of a Licensed Interpreter, who, to make the deed valid, had to make a declaration that the natives thoroughly understood the bargain. Large sums have been paid away to the natives for land purchased on these conditions. It is now attempted, we presume, by means of the oa.ths of the natives, to upset these transactions. All who have had any dealing with the half-civilized natives can appreciate their oath at its proper value—nil! Their oath of course would only apply to the questions, "Were they deceived or not by the interpreter ?" and " Did they receive the sum of money or its equivalent as inserted in the deed ?" As regards the price paid for the land, which is the only other branch of the question, it would be a dangerous anomaly to allow them, to repudiate their acts because want of money to gratify their wants or vices induced them to sell at a lower rate than, by waiting for a more favorable opportunity, could have been realised. The action taken by Mr. Russell and those who support him can only be looked upon as being incited by malevolence towards their fellow settlers. He is in possession of quite sufficient intelligence to know that the only effect of the agitation must be the breeding of ill-feeling between the two races. He should also be experienced enough to be aware that, if any one of these transactions is repudiated,

the attempt will be made to upset every I purchase that has been effected. There is no j man so ready as the Maori to believe that lie is entitled " both to eat and have the cake." We cannot help thinking that the key to the wjiob movement is to be founefc in this agitata* having been, compelled to apply, for a; committee of the Upper-House to enquire into" certain transactions of his with the natives. The report of the committee exonerated him to the extent of- thinking that he - was no worse than his neighbours; nuder these circumstances it is not wise of him to try and show how bad those neighbours are. The contts of law are open to any person whether white or brown, and we trust that no interference will take place in the matter of Dative land transactions except through this medium. A transaction is either legal or illegal. If a Maori has, according to the laws of the- country, disposed of his land it is impossible that he can receive it back. If Mr. .Russell wishes to aid the Maori,. let him and his friends subscribe funds to fight the cases in the Supreme Court. We should not have called attention to this matter were it not that we run the risk of having some infatuated individual tampering with the natives* in this province with the object of inducing them to repudiate their bargains on some imaginary grounds. Most diseases are infectious, and none more so than that of an undue desire to become notorious by any and every means.

In referring to the anxiety exhibited by the public during the recent outbreak of small-pox in Auckland, the Herald says that the residence of the Health Officer was besieged yesterday by applicants for vaccination, and suggests that a public place should be set apart for this purpose. The police were to have been vaccinated on Friday, and were afterwards to perform the task of burning the bedding in Gardiner's rooms. It also deprecates the want of prompt action by the Board of Health, and remarks that probably, before anything practical is effected, the disease will either have been stamped out, or Auckland decimated. The Star speaks - very hotly on the want of due precaution on the part of the authorities to stay the spread of this disease. Although the present weather is not the most favorable for making rapid progress in the earthcutting operation on this end of the Waikato Railway, the contractors are making substantial progress. The small opening made through the tuunel, which we noticed a short time ago, has now been completed to the full width for which the subcontract was let, namely, seven feet square. This size enables the trucks to run right through the tunnel, as temporary rails have been laid down, and the large embankment left at the Newmarket end of the tunnel in the days of the late Mr, P Grace's contract is being rapidly trucked down the line to form part of the embankment across the Mechanics and Official Bays. The tunnel will be broken out the whole size as soon as a sufficient quantity of dressed scoria stone is prepared, so that the operations of breaking-out to the full size and arching may proceed simultaneously. The locomotive, which has stood so long in the sheds of Newmarket, has been properly cleaned up and put in working order, and has been conveyed by means of the traction engine to the 1 narrow ;lane leading to the railway stithy, and thence to the line. The wheels and a portion of the machinery of the locomotive were removed before it was placed on a trolly to be brought round from Newmarket, thus lightening it considerably. But we understand that the weight drawn by the traction engine, including the locomotive and trolly upon which it was placed, was about 15 tons. The locomotive has been taken along the road sufficiently far to be clear of the lane, and the wheels will be fitted on to it and the remaining portions of the machinery replaced, temporary rails laid down, audit thus brought to the sphere of its future labours. The removal of the earth with which a portion of the line is at present encumbered in consequence of the late landslip at Parnell is progressing, and a facing of stone being built as rapidly as a clearing is made. We expect that in a short time, now that the trucks can pass freely through the tunnel, the works along different portions- of the line will be rapidly pushed forward. — Southern Cross. We learn from the Coromandel Mail that the telegraph line to Coromandel is expected to be opened on Monday next. "A Resident of Sleepy Hollow" writes to the Star wishing to be informed whether the contract for the Auckland and Waikato railway, has been signed or not ? He says he has been told that the latter is the case, and thinks that the people of Auckland ought to bestir themselves, as he believes that if the House meets and no contract is signed the chances are it never will be.* Miss Aitkin is still giving readings with great success in Auckland. "We should be glad if this lady considered it worth while paying this district a visit, in order that we in Waikato might have an opportunity of hearing her in her delightful and instructive entertainment. The American residents in Auckland held high court on the 4th July, the anniversary of the American independence. Messrs Quick had a break and six grey* out and proceeded through the town, accompanied by the American Consul and. several American gentlemen, \ afterwards taking a drive out in the country. A spread was laid out in the.evening at.host Perkins' Occidental hotel, after whichtoasts fitting for the occasion were given and speeches made over die flowing bowl. It was sma' wee hours when the guests separated. The arrival of the steamer bearing the English mail via Suez has again afforded us the opportunity of placing early European intelligence in the hands of our subscribers. If any argument were necessary as to the benefit of a local newspaper, the most sceptical must now be convinced of its utility.