TARANAKI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 739, 1 September 1852, Page 3

TARANAKI.

The increased supply of land required for the demands of this settlement will, probably, soon be obtained. Negociations are in progress, under the direction of Mr. Commissioner M'Lean, for the purchase of three considerable "blocks" — at Moliau, Warea, and the Mangoraka and Waiongana districts. The last-named is first in immediate and direct importance : it also is, perhaps, the most difficult of purchase ; but we believe that allured by a good price and a large reserve, the very troublesome body of natives owning this district will consent to sell a valuable and extensive portion of it, comprising much fern and lightly wooded land. The Mokau purchase will include lime and coal fields, the Warea excellent runs for sheep and cattle, both much needed by this Settlement. How soon these purchases will be completed nobody conversant with the Maori mode of doing business will venture confidently to predict. Experience proves that hasty proceedings are unsatisfactory and productive of delay ; and of course no injudicious attempt to patch up a hurried bargain ought to be made, but the urgent wants of the Settlement require that there should not be an hour's unncccessary delay. — Taranaki Herald, August 11. Several Meetings have been held during the last week with the Puketapu tribe respecting the sale of a tract of land extending from the Bell Block to the Mangoraka river. A section of this tribe is as yet opposed to the sale, but the numbers who favor it, including some of the most influential claimants, are gradually increasing. Upwards of one hundred of them were in town on Thursday and Friday, giving a statement of their claims to the lands they wish to dispose of : and it is reasonable to expect that the negociations, which, from the interests concerned must occupy some time, may terminate in the acquisition of the land in question, A surveyor has been sent to Mokau to examine the extent of country which- the natives of that district wish to sell to the Government. — Ibid. August 18.