COROMANDEL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 50, 12 June 1862, Page 6 (Supplement)

COROMANDEL.

(From the Daily Southern Cross , June 3 .) From Coromandel we have news of the failure of the Government negociations for purchasing or leasing the native territory. The Caroline gunboat returned yesterday evening, with the hon. Colonial Secretary on board, from his fruitless mission. A meeting was held, we have been informed, last Wednesday, at which Mr. Fox told the natives that he was willing to keep any promise the Government had made, and pnrchalf the land or lease it from them on the terms to be agreed on. The offer of <£lo,ooo was renewed, and rejected. The natives expressed themselves willing to lease provided they were supplied with arms and ammunition. To this cool proposal the Colonial Secretary replied that in the use of firearms and ammunition no exception could be made in their favour—that as Europeans were prohibited the use of arms, so must the natives. Thereupon the affair was off. They would not lease on any other terms, and stood upon their tribal right to do nothing at all with the land. The natives were given to understand that this was the last proposal the Government would make for purchasing or leasing the district, and were further informed that in case of a “ rush” they would not be protected from the encroachments of the diggers. Owing to the bad advice which the natives have received for years past, however, they pay no attention to what the gentlemen who conduct the affairs of this colony advise them to do lor their own good. What the result or all this may be we do not know ; at present we do know that one of the richest gold districts in the world is closed because a few aboriginal natives refuse either to sell or lease, although unheard of sums of money, in similar cases, are offered for their acceptance by the Government. They fail to discharge, or become liable to the discharge of, any of the duties of landed proprietors—nay, even ol occupiers, and yet claim the most extended privileges ; and are or are not British subjects as it suits their own immediate interests. There was a plentiful distribution of flour, sugar, and tobacco to the natives who have shown a disposition to meet the views of the government. These recipients of public rations expressed regret that Tanks land was not opened, and deplored that it was not in their power to iuiluence their refractory brethren. It may be that the Maori values a musket at this day as a more precious treasure than a thousand acres ; for in no other light can we view their demand, seeing that there are only thirty men to he armed, and that the reserved block is seventy thousand acres. While on the subject of Coromandel we may add that Mr. Matson’s party have sunk to the depth of 135 feet. The water is increasing ; hut they hope to bottom the hole Impatience. From various sources we learn that some of the niggers are preparing to leave in disgust. Others will remain until reinforced. Meanwhile these are the latest items of news regarding Coromandel which we can communicate.