The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 52, 2 March 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1871.

The aspect of affairs in the Waikato just JrMu * s an y t ' ) ' r) rT but reassuring. It is irue\thafc there is no decided outbreak among the natives, nor is there anything definite. known with regard to the position they are Jikely to take up during the ensuing winter, but we are constantly hearing rumors of opposition offered to j the Queen's .officers, and of hostile indica- j tious on the part of the so called King and bis party, which are quite sufficient to i show that the native feeling of hatred to the Europeaus is not yet removed, but that it may at any moment he expected to display itself in a more open and dangerous manner than at present. Over the whole of the North Island we have been compelled to lemporise with them, and to give way to their peculiar notions on the subject of the mails or telegraph wires being allowed to cross their territory. Between Wanganui and New Plymouth a most circuitous route has had to be adopted in obedience to the wishes of the Maoris, and there seems at present to be but little chance of Tauranga and the Thames being connected by wire. This of itself is sufficient to show the jealousy with which we are regarded by the native owners of the soil, a jealousy which is not confined to the older members, whose enmity to I the white man might be more easily accounted for, but is, as we are assured by those, who, from constantly coming in contact with them, have had every opportunity of watching the workings of the native mind, largely shared in by the young men, who appear to be even more determined to oppose the encroachment of the European on their lauds than were their fathers before them. We certainly were surprised to hear this, and should have credited it with difficulty had we not known our authority to be thoroughly reliable, for, with those who have not been in a position to judge for themselves, the natural assumption has been that the Maori youths, who, from their childhood have been accustomed to see and converse with their white neighbors, and to breathe a more civilised atmosphere than their fathers, would have been more kindly disposed to those who have been the means of providing them with many of tho comforts and luxuries of civilised life. The contrary, however, seems to be the case, and tho establishment of friendly relations between the two races appears to be as far off as ever. The following extract from a recent article iv the Taranaki Herald describes the existing state of affairs so clearly that we willingly give it publicity. The writer is discussiug the question of immigration, and touching upon the difficulties that wilt stand in the way of locating in the province of Taranaki the immigrants to be introduced under the Government scheme. He says,: — It will be seen that at every turn we are met by the native difficulty, and it is evident that the colonisation of the provinces will be painfully slow until the natives undergo a process of improvement in accordance with the new American mode, or till a ray of light penetrates their understanding and teaches them that the occupation of their surplus lalads; will be equally beneficial to the Maori as to the European. Iv the meantime they doubt this — in fact, believe that it means Maori extinction ; and Maoris, like Europeans, are naturally averse to that process, even though it be conducted on strictly moral principles and with all the aids which civilisation affords.

Content with the bare necessaries of. life, they live a life of comparative ease, embittered no doubt by their great mortality, the result of disease engendered by dirt, foul food, and the unwholesome air of their crowded, ill ventilated dwellings. They stand a negative barrier to our progress, baffling our superior wisdom and setting at naught all our schemes of settlement. Even if it were not bad policy, humanity forbids having recourse to tho good old plan of rifle and bayonet to remove this obstacle ; and within the all comprehensive grasp of human ingenuity is there no other plan of actiou which will more speedily effect our purpose ? Are all the aids which civilisation offers and christiauiiysuggests futile and impotent to convert this dogged resistance, to overcome t lie inertia of this living mass and in some measure utilise its good qualities and so modify the bad as to make it even a feeble aid in the path of progress ? We are persuaded that the only course open to us is the one adopted by President Lincoln when perplexed by greater difficulties than ours, aud that is to keep " pegging away," with the rifle if force is required to repel aggression, but when such does not present itself, by the more humane, and, let us hope, more effective weapons of truth and justice, patience and persistence, to wear away the obduracy and stubbornness of Maori nature and make him perceive the necessity of progress and the many material benefits which will result to him from it.

Nelson Scientific Association. — At ihe monthly meeting last evening, the Hon. Dr. Renwick in the chair, two new members were elected, and one put up for ballot at next meeting. Some routine business was transacted, and a discussion ou several subjects of interest closed the business of the eveniug. Coloxial Produce. — We have been furnished by Mr. Mnbin with some excellent samples of Auckland made brandy and whiskey, both of which are of excellent quality, although partaking a little too much of the fire of youth. When mellowed down by age they will, we should think, be quite equal to any spirits under similar names imported from the home country. The distillery which produced them has been at work for nearly twelvemonths, during which time it has turned out a large quantity of liquor which meets with a ready sale. Farmers' Club, Stoke. — Tho first monthly sale iv connection with this club took place yesterday. Mr. Augarde reports as follows : — There was a good supply of well bred cattle, and three fat cows were sold to the butchers at £10, £9, aud £8 10s. respectively. The sheep consisted of two pens of Rornney Marsh, aud Leicester, crossed with Merino. Pigs, three and four months old fetched from 14s, to 18s. The stock generally were in excellent condition. Mr. Rout showed two sows of the Neapolitan breed, which, for beauty, temper, and meat, could not bo surpassed. A remarkably well bred bull, 4 years old, was also shown. On the whole this first attempt of the club was a decided success. There are now two rope and twine manufactories iv the town of Christchurch. The Canterbury Provincial Government has recently purchased one of Thomson's road steamers. Government Patronage. — The Wellington Post, iv reference to the creation of offices by the present Ministry, says : "Let us now continue our list of useless and unnecessary offices created by the present Government, and unsuitable persons appointed to necessary offices. Ist. The appointment of Mr. Robert Pharazyn, as Commissioner of Confiscated Lands, at £350 a year, an entirely unnecessary office. Inquisitive people wouder how it is that Mr. Pharazyn, being in the Civil Service, retains his seat in the Provincial Council. 2nd. The appointment of Major Heaphy, as Commissioner of Native Reserves, at £600 a-year. The Government in 1869 introduced a Bill to provide for the creation of this office. This Bill the Legislature rejected, yet before the next session Major Heaphy, a member of the House, was appointed Commissioner, and it was uot long after the appointment -was made, that the Act authorising it was passed. 3rd. The appointment of a member ot the House, Mr. John Williamson,, as Commissioner of Waste Lands, without his being required to resign his seat. 4th. The appointment of Mr. T. Macfarlane, another member, as Trustee in Bankruptcy. sth. The appointment of Mr. W. Fitzgerald, as Secretary to the Minister of Justice — a small job in the matter of salary. 6th. The appointment of Mr. J. G. Fox, as accountant in the Defence Department, at £350 a year. 7th. That of Mr. W. K. M'Lean, in the same department, aB clerk at £250 a-year, these being permanent additions to the strength of a department in which the

work sbonld he daily decreasing, if what the Government tells us about the state of tho country be true. Bth. The appointment of Mr. Woon as Resident Magistrate, Upper Wanganui, at £350 ayear. , 9th. Mr. S. Locke's appointment in a similar capacity at Taupo at £500 ayear. 10th. The appointment of Topia as a kind of chief spy, at £200 a-year. 11th. The appointment of Mr. N. Russell, lately a member of the Assembly, to the clerkship in the Native Office. We have mentioned eleven culled at hazard from the list of 271 appointments in the Civil Service, made between the 30th June, 1869, and the 30th June, 1870, laid before the Assembly last year, and the list of those appointments which have been made since and publicly auuounced. We do not wish to overwhelm our contemporary, and when he has digested this batch vve shall be glad to supply another. In the meantime it may surprise people to know that on the first day of July, 1870, there were 1483 individuals (exclusive of military) drawing salaries from the colonial chest, and that during the previous year appointments, repi*esenting in salaries, £27,553 6s. Sd. per annum, were made by the Government. Of course these were not all new appointments, but the amount shows bow very extensive is the palrouage exercised by New Zealand Governments.