HAWKE’S BAY AFFAIRS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 1, 29 June 1865, Page 1

HAWKE’S BAY AFFAIRS.

[From the Spectator, 21st June.] By the last mail we learn that the Provincial Council of Hawke’s Bay, which was summoned for the 6thult,adjournedtothel3th to allow time for the Superintendent to return from his visit to Poverty Bay, on which latter day the session was opened with from his Honor. As the settlers in Wellington feel a deep interest in the prosperity of the Province which formed an integral portion of Wellington, until its separation from it under the New Proving Act, and is still in different ways intimately connected with us, it may not be amiss to consider some of the topics referred to in his Honor’s address. Of course the most prominent is the present state of our relations with the Natives on the East Coast, which after the murder of Mr Yolkner wore a very threatning aspect, so much so as to cause the Bishop of Waiapu and other Europeans living at Poverty Bay to leave that district from the state of insecurity and alarm caused by the visit of the Hau-hau fanatics. Mr M’Lean has just returned from a visit to Poverty Bay, and the East Cape, and it is satisfactory to know from him that his visit “ has resulted in securing, the co-operation of influential chiefs to support the Government in maintaining order, and resisting the encroachments of the Hau-hau fanatics. Some have already taken the oath of allegiance to her Majesty, and many more

declare their intention of following their exam pie. 5 ’ Not that any apprehensions were Seriously entertained of any disturbance on the part of the natives of Hawke’s Bay, for they have too large a stake in annual rent they receive from the settlers for their lands to j in in any hostile movements against the Europeans and the Government, still, as Mr M’Lean observes, the connection between the tribes at Poverty Buy and those of his province is so close “ that any relations affecting peace or war established with one would be equally applicable to the whole of the tribes inhabiting the eastern portion of the islandand it is almost needless to add that any disturbing causes at Hawke’s Bay would soon spread to the Wairarapa, as the influence of the Hawke’s Bay natives has been actively exerted Over those of the Wairarapa in maintaining peace. Another topic touched on by Mr M’Lean is the acquisition of land from'the Natives, but we regret to find that so little has been done by him in this respect.’ Some districts at the Wairoa and iu the nothern part of the Province, we are told, have been acquired from the natives hut nothing has been done in the purchase of the Forty-mile Bush, though we are told there is “ reason to believe” some portions of the Ahuriri plains may be obtained on lease from the natives for settlement. This is but a lame and impotent conclusion to what might reasonably have been exported from the exertions of one who for so many years has been the chief of the land purchasing department of the Colony, and shows to great disadvantage With Wltat has been done by the Superintendent oi Wellington, Why is it, the settlers at Hawke’s Bay ask, that a few persons have been allowed to monopolise the most valuable portions of the Ahuriri plains to the serious injury of the public, when the Superintendent could have prevented it by putting the law in force to prevent these leases, and by using his influence with the. natives, which is at least as great as that of these leaseholders, to obtain their lands for the public? The supineness which has been shown in this matter on tiie part of the Provincial Government at Hawke’s Bay is in excusable, and justifies the report that some of its members and chief supporters are too much interested in the arrangement to allow such an effectual interference as would prevent it from being cunied out. Again, why has nothing been done towards purchasing portion of the forty-mile hush widen lies i i the Province of Hawke’s Bay ? The acquisition of this block would remove the chief obstacle to commoting the two Provinces by u road which would be of the utmost benefit to both, to say nothing of the railroad which it is proposed to carry through this district, which must wait until the land in question is purchased from the Natives. No difficulty, we believe, will be found in the purchase of that portion of the Block which lies in the Province of Wellington, and if a strenuous effort were made, the remaining portion of it might be readily obtained by the Superint udent of Hawke’s Bay.