COROMANDEL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1369, 8 July 1872, Page 2

COROMANDEL.

DISTURBANCE AMONGST THE MAORIS. The Cowman del correspondent of the S>outhem Cross writes a<* follows: "An affair whkh Jias caused some excitement Las occurred amongst the Maori community here. A native of the.name of Macquarrie, a Ngapuhi from Mangouui district, some time ago ! went a way with a native girl, a relative of Macquarrie's, &»chief of some importance in this place. He was married to her in European custom, and resided with her amongst his own tribe. The lady claims to he in 1 crested in considerable portions- of land near Ooromandel, and came attended by her lord to appear at the last Native Lands Couit held at. Ooromandel. All went well, and the natives here appeared to recognise and acquiesce in the marriage, until about four days ago a number of them set on Macquarrio (the husband), who was Jiving at the time among them, and binding him carried off his wife, but nothing could be done without the sanction of the authorities in native affairs. On Saturday last a report was brought to town that the woman was dangerously ill, and Mr Whitaker, who was acting as solicitor for Maoquartie> accompanied by Dr Hovell and a native interpreter, set off foi the scene of action. Arrived there the doctor pronounced the woman suffering from a sex ere attack of inflammation of the lungs, and recommended her immediate removal to Ooromandel, for the purpose of .subjecting her to a regular course of medical treatment; but the natives absolutely refused to let her be removed, and the pariy had to return to town without her. Since then letters have been received, stating that she had

become worse, and was in a critical condition. However, nothing can be done until the Native Office has been communicated with ; and in the meantime the woman, if compelled to remain in the whare she is confined in, will in all pioba'jility 'die. Dv Hovell was again written to tins morning about sending the unfortunate creatine some medicine. It is to be hoped the case will at once receive the attention of the agent, of the General Government and Mr Kemp, and that action will be taken to remove the woman from her preseni perilous position. Mr Sheehan, member for Rodney, is well acquainted with the parties, anil could suggest the best means of doing good without doiucr anv harm in the matter. The retention of Mrs Macquavrio amongst her people has something to do with her either owning oi' c 1 aiming ownership to some valuable allotments of land here. "

THK SCRIP MANIA. The Southern Cross, July 2, says :- - " Not a few of the old established sharebrokers on 'Change express a decided opinion thai speculation in reefs ao Coromandel is being overdone, and that no long time will intervene before there is a collapse. Jobbers who traffic in the sale of shares express a dilferent opinion, and believe there is almost any amount of loom for the operations of existing companies, and as many more as may be formed. The question of title to ground at Coromaudel seldom or never appeal's to be taken into consideration in forming companies, and the question as to richness is never allowed to be disputed, as every newly formed company appears to be more promising in prospective than the last. The policy adopted in floating companies is to issue a large number of shares, each share being for a very small sum, and the calls only a lew shillings upon each. As soon as the scrip comes from the printers' hands, speculation among the jobbers commences with great activity. It is then harvest time for mine and legal managers, aud for those imo whose hands scrip is placed for disposal. The older and more staid residents of Coromandel, who are holders of scrip in legitimate and properly worked claims, dread a reaction setting in, when the value of shares in good mines will suffer from the bad reputa tion which will attach to 'dutfer' elaims. The «ins of adventurers will be visited on legitimate claimholders. It is noteworthy that, comparatively little business is done on the Held of operations —meetings and the sale and transfer of shares taking place in Auckland, Another somewhat singular

ciroumstan.ee connected with maDy of" the new claims is, that shareholders, not content with holding scrip in one or two of them, are holders in almost all.";;':- r \ ~\,