A TRIP UP WAIKATO.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 15, 6 May 1871, Page 2

A TRIP UP WAIKATO.

The following extracts are from the letter of a correspondent ?o the » Nelson Colonist":— At Alexandra w« remained one night, and to our utter astonishment were not treated to a panic. It is whispered, however, that there is not much fear of the recurrence of many such, since Colonel Lyon did not put any militia on pay on the occasion of the last. There was no doubt, however, of Tapibana's being about; and we could see easily from the windows of the hotel the clearing on the flank of Pirongia, where poor Todd was murdered. Settlers, however, seemed to take it very easily. and occupied houses close to the spot.From Rangiawhia to Cambridge the distance is only some nine miles ; but as most of the line lies through the Moana Tua Tua swamp, we had to ride back as far as Ohapau, and then strike southward again, getting over twenty, three miles before reaching our destination. Everywhere the same signs of activity and prosperity met the eye ; and it became quite evident that the settlers in Waikato were men determined to make the best of the land on which they had pitched their tent. To give an example of the efforts being made, Messrs Douglas and Walker have undertaken the redemption of the huge Moana Tua Tua swamp ; they have already nearly 100 miles of drains through it, and for some four miles have laid the foundations of the road to Rangiawhia.

Cambridge and Hamilton partake of the general character of the Waikato. The townships themselves are but scantily inhabited, and the owners of the soil reside on their properties. On the eastern bank of the Waikato, a large block of land has been purchased from the native owners and is now being farmed; it is very probable that many more acres of the same class will ere long pass into the hands of lorn fide settlers. There is no doubt that with a respite from native difficulties the Waikato must advance, and on one point all the inhabitants are agreed, they insist on peace and exemption from Militia duty, except in the case of actual invasion. Much as persons at a distance may decry the causeless panics which have produced the sensational telegrams so lately published, it is Waikato which raises the loudest voice against them; for, not only do they lower the value of land, but they actually deter from purchase men prepared to expend capital and labor on their farms. The steps taken by the Defence Minister have met the cordial support of the whole district. He has reinforced the Constabulary, so that it numbers now 200 men. but of these 100 are to guard the outposts, while the remainder acting as a reserve, are to be divided into two bodies and work on the roads and bridges; and on these, judging from my experience, they will have plenty to do. In addition to this, a volunteer cavalry corps is being formed, under an old campainger, Major Jackson, which will for some little time to come, furnish patrols along the frontier line ; minor details, too, such as church and school matters, and questions relative to reserves, have been inquired into to the satisfaction of all parties. With regard to native affairs, the general opinion among the settlers is that there will be no fighting. A large section of the king party, Ngatiraukawa, who live on the eastern side of Waikato, and hold the country between Cambridge and Taupo, have thrown open their territory; Ngatimaniapoto have sent in their chiefs to Alexandra, to meet Mr M'Lean, and assure him of their neutrality, in case of hostilities with the king; and the latter, alarmed by the aspect of things, has sent word in earnest to the existing bugbear, Taphiana, to clear out. Although affairs which looked very black about a month ago have now assumed a much more roseate hue, and many of the leading men of Waikato, do not hesitate to ascribe this desirable change to the personal influence of the Native Minister. Much discussion has taken place among them, as to the election cry of doing away with the Native Office ; and I' heard more than one expressing himself somewhat after this fashion. Granted that the office is not perfection, are its detractors ready to substitute something better for it? It is all very well for people living in towns far away from sll Of poUjsm Wttft'tljg tq

give vent to their honest convictions on the matter; but we frontier men, who have the Maori near us, know that unless a special department carefully watches events, and takes charge, as far as it can of the native mind, the best think we can do is to sell our farms for what they will fetch, and get away as fast as we can.