The Bay of Plenty Times

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume IV, Issue 414, 30 August 1876, Page 2

The Bay of Plenty Times

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

"Wednesday, August 30, 1876

By reference to another column will be seen a report respecting the return of the prospectors from Kaimai. It appears that after their arrival at Kaiinai, nothing transpired until Monday, when some of the Pirirakau natives — acting as they allege under the instructions of Tawhiao — ordered the party to immediately leave the ground. The prospectors, after fully considering their position, thought that, under the circumstances, the most prudent course for them to adopt, was to return to Tauranga and report the matter to Mr Commissioner Brabant. It will be remembered that when it was arranged by Mr Brabant and the prospectors, that Akuhata Tupaea slioixld accompany the prospectingparty, they 'told Mr Brabant that they would act in a most cautious manner, and not give any cause of offence or push matters unduly; hence their acceding to the request of these disaffected natives. For our part, we consider that the prospectors have acted vory properly in withdrawing if they really considered that their lives were in danger ; but not otherwise. At all events, . from what has transpired, evidently none of them cared to sacrifice themselves on the altar of their country ! Having passed the rubicon, we consider that no mere threats of violence, and no amount of Maori bounce, should be considered sufficient grounds for the course adopted by our prospectors. These Pirirakau natives, who are called Hauhaus, are men who do not even profess to be interested in the land which has been handed over byHori Tupaea and people, for- the purposes of gold prospecting — they assume a position which neither the authorities nor the native owners of the soil should for one moment tolerate We are perfectly satisfied that Mr Brabant has done all in his power to assist the prospectors, and we are confident that, , under his judicious management, the spirit of opposition, now pervading the Pirirakau element, will be removed. This little difficulty has not arisen in consequence of any action taken, either. by Mr Brabant or Hori Tupaea, but it is the result of the fearful mismanagement and utter, neglect of native affairs in our district, during the period prior to tho appointment of Mr- Brabant. How is it that, in this boasted period of peace, a

mere handful of rebels should be permitted to occupy the territory of loyai natives, who desire to work in consort with.the Europeans in developing the resources of the country ? The root of the evil should have been struck: at long, long, ago, and then nothing would have existed to impede the progress of any European who either.- desired to prospect for gold, or locate himself in the Kaimai. district. . It appears that Mr Tawhiao is not contented with having his "aukati" in the Waikato Country, but he has his emissaries located in our very midst, ready at all times to check, if possible, any advance made by European or native in the direction of opening-up the country. We are assured by the prospectors that, as far as they could judge, the country was an. exceedingly likely one for gold ; but, of- course,, in consequence of the action of the natives, they were unable to prosecute a search. We regret .very much that the prospectors have returned, in consequence of this mere bounce- on the part of the natives. It is well known that these very natives have continuallythreatened that if any surveys were made in this district, and settlers were located on the lands near- Katikati, there would be bloodshed. What has been the result ? simply this, that at Katikati we have a thriving settlement, and that alLthe surveys entered upon have been satisfactorily completed, and no one has been killed or seriously interfered with ; and now the gold question is about the last which these people will have to occupy their attention, and they think they must make a decided stand, and -utter their usual pretest. We trust that the portentous cloud which now slightly darkens our horizon, will 'ere long vanish from our gaze, and that we shall at last assume the position which the importance of our district .demands we should, and that the braggadocio of an insignificant section of the Maori community, will not be tolerated.

The . telegram in another column, announcing the appointment of Sir Julius Yogel to the office of Agent General in London, -will hardly take any one by surprise. It has been a self-evident fact all this session, even prior to the death of the late Dr Featherston, that Sir Julius had his eye on the Agent Generalship. Mr Fitzherbert, we did not expect to hear of as probable Premier, nor did we anticipate the possibility of Mr Rolleston, the Superintendent of Canterbury, accepting the Speakership. In last issue we intimated the extreme probability of Sir Donald McLean resigning, At the present moment it would-be premature to comment at length on what our " Wellington special" does not pretend to vouch for. .