WEST COAST LAND PURCHASES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 131, 27 July 1880, Page 2

WEST COAST LAND PURCHASES

HOW THE MONEY WENT. The appendices to the West Coast Commission’s report contain some reading : matter of a highly interesting and startling character, showing, as it does,jhqTjv money has been lavishly spent upon ‘the! natives for every conceivable kind of thing, and charged to “ land purchases.” We give a few specimens from the accounts paid storekeepers out of the LIOOO which was j obtained for compensation for 1 land purchases omthe West Coast j : but which was really spent in supplying every conceivable sort of articles to the natives, in connection with the Waitara meeting. ; In one of the vouchers for LSOO, a sum 0fL339.11s was paid for what the Commissioners-- term * ‘ unusual items, ” such as ladies’ sidesaddles, habits, . velvets, silks,' French merino shawls, lockets, ribbons, .charged to the “ acquisition of lahcL” ' In.another voucher there is an expenditure for 'fancy biscuits, cocoa, salmon,; sardines, jam, port wine, brandy, old.tom, oysters, mullet, and tins of fruit. Another voucher'included lobsters, preserved peaches, and entertainments at the theatre. The total sum charged in this way to the. acquisition of land was L2OOO. “Mr. ” Rewi purchased in one day L2Ol 19s 3d worth of goods, and we quote his ‘‘little bill” in full, as giving a fair ■ , sample of the whole New Plymouth, 28th November, 1878. -—Mr. Rewi, bought of Walter Wright.—Hat, 5a 6d; umbrella, 15s ; coat, L 3 10s; tie, 2s ; portmanteau, L 7 10s ; umbrella,. 18s 6d ; suit, 45b; 2 chemises at 5s 6d; 3do at 3s 6d; 1 do, ss; 6 shirts at 7s 6d ; hat, 245,; 4 pair socks, at 2s; 17£ yards plaid at 3s 9d ;_46 yards blue flannel at 3s ; yards merino at 6s ; jackets, 255, 655, 20s, 245, 355, 15s ; 43J yards plaid at 3s 6d; featherslos 6d, . 25s ; 8 crimeans, 12s 6d; yards French merino at 4s 6d ; 2 .shawls, 35s ; J portmanteaus, 455, 50s ; corset, 8s 6d; umbrella, LI 4s; silk jacket 35s ; cloth jackets, 705,£03; 2 pinafores at ss; cloak, 27s 9d ; skirts, 255, 17s 6d; 3 do at 12s 6d ; 2 do at 9s 6d ; 1 do, 15s 6d ; boots, 10s 6d, 21s, 15s; fichu, LI; costume, L 5 ; 3 chemises at 3s 9d ; shawl, 42s ; 41 yards Turkey red at Is 9d; 3 shawls .at 18s; costume, 60s ; 4£ yards American cloth, 2s 6d, lady’s saddle, L7los ;. bridle, 30s ; whip, 15s ; saddle-cloth, 10s, 6d ;, shawl, 27s 6d ; 4 handkerchiefs,at 6s r 6d-; skirt, 15s 6d ; shirt, 12s 6d ; habit,. L9 ; 9s ; 18| yards merino at 2s 6d ; suit, L2..5s ; costume, L2 10s ; habit, L 5 5s ; carriage, 6s; trimmings, 49a ; haberdashery, 80s ; velvets, 40s; 6 pair scissors at 2s; ribbons, 355; thimbles, 4s ; soap, 10s 6d ; ' ties and handkerchiefs, L 3 5s 6d; riding-hat, LI ss; collars, Is; hat, 21s; • locket, 17s. 6dcuffs, 2s 6d ; jackets,/ 18s, 50s; 3 shirts at 7s 6d ; ; 5; :scarfs at.Ss 6d.— Paid.—W. Weight.— L2ol 19s 3d. In other accounts there were boys’ suits, braces, belts, long-handled ; .shovels, plough-harness, red and white paint, carpenter’s tools,; thimbles, .theatre tickets (Lll); special; trains, etc.' ~:The return of the approximate expenditure in.connection with the Waitara meeting in June, 1878, made up , as follows : Erection of buildings, L3BB 8s > <6d ;• special train, LlO5 15s; provisions, presents, etc., L3G3 5s 6d (Llsl 19s 7d yet remains paid); contribution to banquet, L 140; r horse (gift to u•• Rewi),v- L6O total, L 1057 9s. —Evening Post.