New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 10, 1849.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume V, Issue 376, 10 March 1849, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator, AND COOK'S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, March 10, 1849.

We believe that Mr. M 'Lean's negociations with the natives for the purpose of purchasing the districts of Manawatu and Rangitiki have so far been attended with success, that a very numerous and influential meeting of chiefs and natives living along the coast, who are interested in the sale of these districts, is appointed to take place on Monday next at Manawatu, for the purpose of discussing the question. We have heard that the natives are very favourably disposed, and there is little doubt that this question will eventually be settled to the satisfaction of all parties. It is one of no mean importance in many respects to this settlement, and we may therefore feel a natural anxiety to see it finally dispose^ of. The extinguishing of the native title to these districts will> in the first place, enable the Crown to issue grants to the New Zealand Company, which will put the Directors in a position to com-

plete the title of those purchasers of preliminary land orders who have selected their land at Manawatu, and by this step remove the last difficulty of this nature connected with the lands included in this settlement. The acquisition of these district by the Crown will render a most valuable and extensive .level and fertile district (that of Rangitiki) available for future colonization, a district which, from all the accounts we have received, is eminently adapted for agricultural and pastoral pursuits. By these purchases all the land from Port Nicholson to Wanganui, except those districts which are reserved for the use of the natives, will be at the disposal of 'the Government. Another effect connected with the satisfactory arrangement of this purchase will be to render those questions which remain to be arranged at Wairarapa and Taranaki, still easier of adjustment. For the fact of the natives in the other districts having acceded to the wishes of the Government, will render the -other tribes more compliant and disposed to moderate their demands and concur in an equitable arrangement. Sir George Grey has steadily devoted his attention and the means at his disposal" to removing the different causes of dispute which formerly existed between the settlers and the natives, and in preparthe way for future extensive immigration ; and we have little doubt before the close of the year that the land question will be so completely disposed of that the lands reserved for the use of the natives in the Southern Province may be accurately defined and registered, according to Lord Grey's recommendation, and the possibility of further disputes in this Province on a subject formerly so fruitful of them will entirely be removed. Sir George Grey has no doubt been ably seconded in the execution of his plans by the exertions of those persons who have been entrusted with so difficult and delicate a commission, particularly by Mr. M'Lean, who appears to have considerable influence with the natives ; and who has shown great sagacity and tact in the management of these difficult arrangements. JBut their success is mainly to be ascribed to the confidence and firm reliance which the natives have in the personal character of our present Governor, which disposes them to a cheerful acquiescence in his arrangements.

Wellington Sayings Bank. — Rev. R. Cole and Mr. W. F. Christian, Managers in rotation, will attend at the Union Bank on Monday next, the 1 2th current, from 12 to 1 o'clock.

Programme of the performance by the Band of the 65th Regiment, at Thorndon Flat, on Tuesday, the 14th March :—: — 1. Overture — II Giuramento Marcadante 2. Selection — Crusaders Benedict A. The Swiss Quadrille Jullien 4. Selection — Maritana Wallace 5. Olga ; or the Princess' Waltz Jullien 6. March and Aria Ju'lien 7. German Galop Seaume 8. The Eclipse Polka x . Koenig