THE PROVINCES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 161, 10 December 1874, Page 4

THE PROVINCES.

AUCKLAND. Our Thames correspondent last night telegraphed us the following important news, relative to the Ohinemuri difficulty, received at the Thames, says the Herald, of the 3rd :—" The news from Ohinemuri is very encouraging. Mr Mackay has returned, and leaves to-night in the Buona Ventura for Auckland, to consult with the Native Minister. Te Moananui is riding down, and will probably go to Auckland for the same purpose. The game has approached a crisis, and it now remains for the Government to decide whom they will support—Mr Mackay and the bulk of the landowners, or the two obstructionists, Te Hira and Te Moananui. The Star's report of yesterday's meeting says that Mackay checkmated the obstructionists, and that the principal landowner, in spite of a threat of appeal to arms by Moananui, formally ceded their rights to the land by presenting Mackay with their 'wahangohe' large club and feathers), and also oy other native usages. Mackay said to Moananui; I have apportioned the

money for land outside, and it only remains for mo to state that I shall take laud to the east of a line commencing at Okarere, thence to Komata, thence to Pateroa, thence to Te Kahaukata. thence to Rotokohu, thence to Mangaiti at the north side of Aroha block. Before this I have kept the European settlers back ; now I shall not interfere. You can have the land on the western side of the line for yourselves. I shall tell the men of the pickaxe I have done with keeping them back, because you shuffle out of engagements made deliberately with me. The natires expressed an opinion that the gold should go to the Crown, and that the advance should be repaid by miners' rights fees. Mr Mackay stuck to it that he had purchased the land, and would have it. He excluded the lands within the line belonging to Ngatikohe settlements at Waihou and Ngatiporou lands at Mataroa. Just before Mr Mackay left, several large landholders said that he was to take the right to mine for gold, but he replied he could not lease, but was only authorised to purchase. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Rowe and Payne, accompanied by his Honor the Superintendent and Mr Sheehan, waited yesterday, says the Herald of the 3rd, upon the Hon Dr Pollen and Sir Donald McLean, in reference to the proposed special settlement on the Upper Thames. The objects were fully explained, and the interview was of the most satisfactory character. Both Ministers approved of the scheme, and promised to assist to the utmost of their power. The Superintendent and Mr Sheehan warmly advocated the interests of the Thames people, and expressed their approval of the proposed settlement. The difficulty in the way at present is that there are no other lands in the Thames Valley at present available for settlement, although the Government are negotiating for large tracts of good agricultural country. The Colonial Secretary and the Native Minister expressed their willingness to assist in every possible way. Every endeavor was being made to acquire these lands, and they would, when obtained, be handed over to the province, to be administered under the Waste Lands Act. The Colonial Government would offer no objection to the disposal of the lands under the deferred payment clauses of that Act. We are glad to see both Governments co-operating in giving encouragement to proposals for bona fide settlement, and especially in respect of lands in the vicinity of the Thames. If but a third of the area of good land in the Thames Valley could be secured for actual settlement, it is considered by not a few the permanent prosperity of the Hauraki district would be assured. We hope that no time will be lost by either Government in doing all that it has to do in giving effect to the wishes of the Thames people. For the want of some such inducements as are now held out by the land law of the province, hundreds, we might say thousands, of first-class settlers have left the goldfields for other colonies.

The Cross of the 2nd says:—We have been furnished with extracts from telegrams which have passed between Sir Donald McLean and Mr Mackay on the subject of the Ohinemuri lands. To say that the Government are opposed to the opening of this country istoaccuse them of culpable negligence of the requirements of the colony, and of the wishes of the inhabitants of a wide district. We can understand that the Government are averse to any undue pressure being used, to anything that would produce quarrelling; but that they can do otherwise than earnestly aid the efforts of their representative in the matter we cannot for a moment believe. Mr Mackay, acting for the Government, entered into this negotiation with ample powers, and for whatever success he achieves he deserves credit. The following is an extract from a telegram sent by Mr Mackay to the Hon Dr Pollen on the 16th instant; and appended is a message from the Native Minister, which Mr Mackay's telegram called forth, together with Mr Mackay's reply thereto:— . . . "The Government can help a little if a telegram is sent by Sir Donald M'Lean that he cannot say exactly when he can visit the Thames and that he has a great deal to do at Auckland and elsewhere. "(Signed) JAMES MACKAY, jun." Sir D. M'Lean 'to J. Mackay, Esq., jun., dated 16th November, 1874. " Friends, I am very busy, and shall not be at Hauraki for some time. You and Mr Mackay had better settle the question upon which you are at present engaged, as I have many duties to attend to in other parts of the island. In accordance with suggestions contained in your telegrim to the Hon Dr Pollen, I send this notice for you to read to the natives. " (SigneJ) D. M'Lean." Extract from telegram from Jas. Mackay, Esq, jun, to Sir D. M'Lean, dated 19th November, 1874. " Many thanks for your telegram, which has had a good effect. " (Signed) JAME 3 MACKAY, jun." The East Coast correspondent of the Cross writes :—Major Ropata, with commendable enterprise, is erecting a commodious hotel at the Oil Springs, in anticipation of these sources of wealth being soon utilised, as it is fully expected they will. The opening of the Springs will, of course, cause an influx of population, for whose accommodation it is requisite to make provisions in the licensed victualler line. When the contemplated road from East Cape to Poverty Bay, through the Waiapu valley—a much shorter route than the present coast route —is made, this inn, which is situated near the proposed line, will also prove useful in the way of accommodating travellers. The surrounding scenery is most attractive, and there is abundance of fertile land, which, if cultivated, would produce the best cereal crops. It is painful to see such fine tracts of land as there are in this valley, lying completely waste in the possession of natives, who use them only for grazing a few scabby sheep. Europeans will not, of course, rent any of the land used for depasturing infected sheep, until the disease is eradicated; but as the Government have taken the matter in hand this latter much-desired object will, it is to be hoped, be speedily accomplished. Local racing affairs have been lately engaging the attention of the natives, who are making considerable preparations in this direction, with the view of rendering the ensuing meet, which is to take place in January, more attractive than any tLat has preceded it. The race-course, which is situated about 5 miles north of Awanui, and which is already a good one, is to be improved, whilst additional prizes are to be given. An unusually large number of good horses are to be entered, and the contest is expected to be a very interesting one. One of the best of the winning horses at the !ast races has since been maliciously destroyed, by being hamstrung with a tomahawk, to

preclude, it is believed, his running at the forthcoming races. The establishment of a township at Hicks' Bay is spoken of and likely to be accomplished at no distant day. The resident chief, Iharaira Te Houkamo, is favorable to the project, and so is the Hon W. Morgan, who resides in the immediate neighbourhood Hicks' Bay is admirably adapted for a township, it being accessible by water in any state of the weather. As a fishing station it is also most suitable, and a few skilful and industiious fishermen, with proper appliances, would soon make a little fortune there. Could not some of the Shetland immigrants, who are shortly expected in Auckland, and who are sure to be experienced fishermen, be induced to try their luck at Hicks' Bay? We are glad to learn, on authority, Bays the Cross, that it is not intended by the Government to remove the Native Land Court from Auckland. The Chief Judge is to be removed to Wellington for mere administrative purposes ; and another Judge is to be appointed here, and a court of record, with all necessary powers vested in the Judge for carrying on the business, will be maintained. This changes the complexion of the case, and renders the alteration proposed a matter which will in nowise interfere with the Native Land business in Auckland. Mr E. B. Dickson, the secretary of the Acclimatisation Society, has received, says the Cross, information of a shipment of birds per Glenlora, which sailed on the 26th September from London for this port. The shipment consists of twenty-two white throats, twelve nightingales, and eighty hedge sparrows. There is also on board the same vessel the stove ordered some time ago for the propagating house recently erected in the Society's gardens. The birds are under the direct care of Captain Le Viscount, and the cages are placed in his own cabin. A gentleman passenger (Mr Ray) has promised to render what assistance he can to properly care for the birds during the passage. It is to be hoped that a large proportion of the hedge sparrows at least will be landed safely, as they feed solely upon insect life in its various forms, and are not the pests of gardeners and farmers, as are the house sparrows introduced a few years ago. The Harbor Board held its fortnightly meeting yesterday, says the Cross, of the 3rd. A letter was read from the General Government declining to consent to the proposal to place a hydraulic lift on the inner curve of the proposed railway at Point Britomart on the ground that by the Harbor Act of last session the west side of Queen street had been fixed for the site of a dock or lift. The tender or" Mr W. J. Marks was accepted for supplying and laying down pipes from the railway station to the Queen street wharf, where a tank to contain 10,000 gallons is to be erected to receive the surplus water from the railway station which is to be supplied by the Board to the shipping. This will be a great advantage, as it will enable the Board to remedy an evil now much complained of, and supply the shipping with pure water and be a substantial source of revenue. Owing to the high prices named in the tenders for the construction of a steam launch for the pilot service, and the heavy sum which would be required for working expenses, the Board have wisely determined to abandon the idea of a steamer, and call for tenders for a schooner of about twentyeight or thirty tons register.