CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 152, 11 December 1863, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times.

Sir, —Some few years ago, an attempt was made to lease land from tlie Natives in the vicinity of the town, for the purpose of agriculture, the object being to secure sufficient extent for small farms, with a commonage attached, before every part was taken up by the sheep-owners ; but, unfortunately for Hawke’s Bay, and through (lie acts of interested persons, the project fell to the ground. Well did the foresight of our first Superintendent discern what must otherw isc come, and what would be the hope for the farmer ; indeed if he could visit this place now, he might say—“ Well, I did spend the money right royally, but I never endeavored to stay the interests of the Province for any personal benefit of my own.” It is a question if our present Superintendent and his chief councillor could say the same.

Mr. Ormond, in the House of Representatives, with the concurrence of Mr. McLean, whose absence he deplores, brings forward a resolution that the acts ofthenativesin this Province whohave not taken up arms, not having fought against us, although they may have sent the King money, munitions of war, and information too of all our movements, may be condoned, and that unless bo is able to tell those dear pets that their lands will not. bo taken away from them for any past misconduct, provided they remain quiet, he informs the House that actually there may be war in this district! It is only a few weeks ago that we were assured there would bo nothing but peace, peace, peace in Hawke's Bay ; but a phantom lias sprung up in the shape of the “Settlements Act," which has rounded up those gentlemen like unto their own sheep after a whistle. They wonder how to succeed in the nest move, and they set to work, viz.—“ Let the natives be assured that no harm will come to them. Let the Hawke’s Bay people be persuaded that war must bo the result if the “Settlements Act” is allowed to be seen there : wo will by this get in the thin edge, and secure ourselves in the illegal occupation of our native runs.” Let the Government editor of the Herald contradict this latter fact, and he will hear of something not to the advantage of his clients, particularly how one of the gentlemen—and through what agency—he obtained his leasehold.

It is patent to nil that the runbolders of this district have gradually crept to be proprietors of their extensive lands from the time when the compulsory purchase of a homestead (80 acres) was considered a grievance until thousands of acres were bought in a few minutes. Ido not complain against them as a body ; f hey came here on the faith of Government, and they effected (with good help from the powers that were) the object of their mission ; yet the Land Regulations were then in existence, open to all, and on the face clear and fair enough, yet the land went to a few, and the majority were not provided for. I here is a worse prospect now. The natives have let or hired out nearly every piece of land for sheep and cattle, and what hope is there of obtaining some of the fertile plains of the Ngaruroro, except under the Settlements Act, when they are illegally occupied by the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner? or is it probable that the land leased to him will be shortly sold to Government?

Unless the majority of the inhabitants of Hawke’s Bay take up this matter in the spirit that they will not be fooled by fine speeches or the promises held out by the Herald , never to be realised except by thejTew, the “ Mystery Man” and his friends will make a “pile,” the fertile lands well fitted for agriculture will pass away to become their property ; and the small farmer—yes, of course, I forgot, he can—he can—take off his hat to Mr. Renata and the Honorable Hapuku;

and lie can—yesjby gad, ho can—purchase, if he has any rnaneiijm in about 14 or 21 years’ time, land at £2O peWtcre from the once illegal squatter. Sir, wo want a less selfish Government than the present one ; we want men whose example is to be followed—who will not use their public position for their own especial benefit, instead of for the public good ; we want the Settlements Act to be put in force here (the Maories well deserve that it should) ; and we want, above all, our voices to be raised, and to be heard against the last chance for the small farmer passing away ; and we want, in conclusion, a generous opposition in the Council. The electors of the Country District and the Town ought to find out what the particular views of their respective members are on these points, and should they be against the interests of the community, why, make them resign, and give place to other and better men. SETTLER.