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Evening Star, Issue 3311, 30 September 1873, Page 2

Our telegrams inform us that a Native tribe in the Province of Auckland, called the Ngatimaru, have become involved in a dispute with the disaffected Maories. To those who are acquainted wjth the exact state of affairs at the scene of this last Native difficulty, the telegram announcing that difficulty reads with sufficient clearness; to those who are not so acquainted (and they are nine hundred and ninetynine out of every some explanation may be of service, Some seventy or eighty miles south of the 'Thames goldfield is a mountain, which forms a conspicuous feature in the landscape, even a,t the Thames goldfield itself, and is known as Te Aroha mountain, that is “ The Mother of Gold.” “ Omne iynotum pro magnljlco ” —that js on ie principle of imagining there must ho .6Qnn? thing good because they knew nothing ,tq phe contrary —the Aroha block, comprising puk fountain and a large quantity of adjacent country, haying been long Iqcked up by the Natives from the diggers, the latter have conceiyed that ft roust of necessity bo rich with gold. Some three qr four years ago a portion of the Ngatimaru tribe, who were, and are Friendlies, and who are in favor of throw*

ing open their land for goldmining, laid claim, to the Aroha Block. Their claim was disputed by a tribe of Hauhau proclivities, who were for a time successful. A.t length, however, and after the legal chances had often gone to tips side and often to that, the claim of the Ngatimaru was allowed, but in a somewhat singular manner. The Native Lands Court recognised them as the owners of the land, but declined taking any steps towards putting them in possession. Their opponents did not exactly question the judgment: they merely expressed their intention of braining any men whom the Ngatimaru might send to survey the block. The usual tall talk was heard on each side for some time, the Ngatimaru announcing their purpose every week or so of starting on an expedition in which theodolites would be supported by rifles, and Tawhaiao’s people promising them a warm reception. Those in authority fearing the consequences of an actual collision, strenuously persuaded, the Ngatimaru to permit matters to remain as they were, and this they seemed to have done effectually. Of course, in this as in all the Native disputes about laud, there were white interests involved. The Ngatimaru owed several of their white advocates sums of money, and had pawned their chances to others. Accordingly the following plan was adopted : all ostensible attempts at surveying were desisted from, and so soon as the King Natives were thus lulled into security the survey of the block was secretly commenced. It is the completion of that survey that the telegrams announce to us, and the Ngatimarus will now be in a position, so to speak, to deposit plans of their property in Court, and to obtain title deeds for it. The inevitable result will be its being opened up to the miners, in consequence of the pecuniary reasons stated previously ; and this is the result which the King Natives are now endeavoring to avert. We do not apprehend that any serious consequences will arise, although the dispute has been more remarkable for bluster than for any real venom: but it is to be hoped that the authorities will do their best to avoid our being forced into a costly struggle. At the same time it must be remembered that it is our duty clearly to support the law which has given this land to the Ngatimaru. Our principal reason for adverting to this topic is to point out that, after all, the termination of the matter in the most favorable manner would really be a point of but minor importance. Because mining and prospecting have been so strictly prevented by the Hauhau occupants of the Upper Thames country (where the Aroha block is situated), the diggers have naturally conceived the most extravagant notions concerning the wealth which lies hid there. The truth is that the land which has just been surveyed is no more promising than the several blocks which from time to time have been recently thrown open in the neighborhood of the Thames goldfield ; and of these blocks it may be truly said, in raining language, that they have turned out “ rank duffers,” and that they only enriched a few smart swindlers, who sold shares on the strength of specimens brought thither in their trousers pockets.