THE Bay of Plenty Times.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 402, 19 July 1876, Page 2

THE Bay of Plenty Times.

"THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES SHALL TEACH ME SPEED.'" KING JOHN, ACT IV.

Wednesday, July 19, 1876

In last issue we published a letter, written by Mr C. O. Davis, in relation to the suspension of land negotiations in the Bay of Plenty and Lake Districts. Mr Davis very truly says, "the subject . canuot be one of indifference to this community," and further adds, "I. fully endorse the action of Government in suspending land operations at the Bay of Plenty and elsewhere; my opinion being based on tenable grounds." It is well known how. great an authority Mr Davis is in native matters, and it is not without regret we now declare that we cannot, for one moment, agree with Mr Davis on this subj ect of the suspension of the land operations. To our mind, only the presence of some serious native difficulty would be sufficient basis, at this particular time, for discontinuing the further negotiations, and wo do not recollect during the whole time that the Government have been in treaty for these lands which are referred to by Mr Davis, any of the Commissioners .themselves withdrawing from active operations on any block except Te Puke, when Messrs Davis and Mitchell, to avoid bloodshed, withdrew Captain Lloyd from the survey. And now we are assured on the best possible authority, namely, that of Mr Davis, that in reference to the Maketu blocks which he enumerates — Te Puke being one — ' ' that little or no difficulty exists in the tvay of extinguishing the native titles, which means occupation ly settlers of pur own race-; which lands are known, to be suitable for settlement, and which the leading chiefs of the district ivarmly desire should be studded vrith, the tcsual improvements and advancing prosperity of our civilisation.' I This is most encouraging information, and if known to. the Government, why on earth the negotiations are not being rapidly concluded, we -are certainly at a loss to -tell. It has been our intention, for some time past, to state our very determined opinion on this question, for, as Mr Davis remarks, our {i pm is always ready to advocate, whatever is likely to advance this important district." Leaving Mr DavisMetter for the present, wo must say that we are astounded beyond measure at this extraordinary action on tho part of the Government in . so suddenly discontinuing their land purchase operations. . From Parliamentary reports, and from numerous other sources, we are aware that the Commissioners have been successful in completing tho titles to some very valuable tracts of country, but why now stop tho operations, when Te Puke bloclc, and other desirable property in the district, is

not yet quite acquired from the native owners. No native difficulties are known to exist, in. this district iat present, and we unhesitatingly affirm that the' policy, of the Government in this-, matter is suicidal. Is'this district for ever to Tbe neglected? Must our vast resources be left for development to future ages? Why, just on the eve of the completion of the land titles should the Commissioners be withdrawn from the district?. If these gentlemen have acted in a manner not pleasing to those who are at the head of affairs during the time they have been negotiating for native lands, by all means let the public be made aware of the facts. There were periods when the negotiations were disturbed by troublesome natives, and when we might have expected a temporary suspension of the operations, notably, at the commencement of the Te Puke survey. . To delay further the completion .of these land questions, is disclosing great ■ weakness on the part of the Government. Perhaps we are to have a second edition of the Tauranga land titles investigations. II ennuie d qiti attend, and there must be some end to all the difficulties which are now thrown in our way. We are a little anxious to know in what position these land matters now rest ? How 'are the titles to uncompleted blocks to be satisfactorily obtained ? It may be the intention of the Government to re-open the negotiations with the old Commissioners, or perhaps another set of Daniels ; but that at present, is one of the arcana imperri. If the Commissioners who were lately carrying on land purchases, are still holding Government' appointments, then, perhaps, no immediate danger would accrue if their operations were suspended for a short time, but we are not aware what position they hold at present, and therefore, consider that we should be sadly neglecting our duty not to. call attention to the present exceedingly unsatisfactory state of land matters in our district. We will not fail to give a very determined opinion when the administration of affairs is improperly conducted, being at the same time fully aware that we shall bring upon us the ire of men in high places, for does not the proverb say, grams via regum semper.' Yet we trust we shall never be accused of neglecting our duty as public journalists, for any such base considerations. If the Commissioners are no longer in the employment of the Government, then the position of affairs is simply this, that they, having full possession of all information in relation to the lands negotiated for, are at liberty, to use their knowledge on behalf of any private speculators who are, now that the field is open again, entering into negotiations with renewed vigour:. We deprecate the existence of so nruch- uncertainty, and hope and B trust that the Government will be sufficiently alive to the public interest, to make such arrangements as will satisfactorily complete the titles to all native lands, upon which so much revenue has already been expended. Horn Ngatai and Enoka Te Whanake, the - well-known Whareroa chiefs, have been served with writs to appear early next month at the Supreme Court at Auckland to defend an action instituted against them for £100 each, by a Mr Wright of Gisborhe. This cause is brought forward in consequence of these natives Tiaving dis- \ closed to certain members of a Committee, appointed to secure the return of one of the late candidates, that Major Pitt, Captain Read's reputed agent, had " contaminated their fingers with base bribes" during the late general election. It is a great pity ( that these cases are incessantly dragged before the public ; it would almost appear that these charges re East Coast election, will be everlasting. Matters are still further complicated with Hoii and Enoka, in consequence, we learn, of their being immediately required by Captain Morris, to attend at Wellington, to give evidence on behalf of that gentleman, .before the Election Committee of the House of Representatives. Having a writ each to attend the Supreme Court, and also a notice to proceed to Wellington, placed these men in rather an awkward predicament. It is very hard upon natives to be thus situated, because they do not know anything of our laws, and yet are strictly bound by them. . Great blame attaches itself to Europeans, who induce the natives to break the laws .of the country. It. is frequently the case, that in the hour of , trouble, the hand of friendship is not extended by those who have been .instrumental in bringing about the trouble. We have no doubt that the matter to which wo have alluded, will serve as a caution to these natives, and we presume that in future they will not be disposed to give their support to persons who have brought so much trouble upon them. .