NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4338, 13 February 1875, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SUMMARY FOR THE MONTH. JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1875. For transmission by the R.Af.5. Tararua via Suez, on ’the Uth February, or per Taranaki from Wellington, on the IGth, and 'the A.S.ff. Co.’s steamer Macgregor, on the 19th February, via Auckland ■ and San Francisco. Saturday, February 13. By far the most interesting and significant event of the month has been the meeting of the Native Minister (Sir Donald McLean) and the King (Tawhiao) at Waitoma —a native village, within the territory of the King, and about halfway between the border line and Tawhiao’s principal township, To Kuiti. It has been suspected for some time past that the Maori was becoming tired of his isolation, and anxious for a reconciliation with the Government. But the question was “ the land, the land ” —forfeited Waikato ; and the King held back lest precipitation on his part should lessen his chances of a restoration of that portion of the territory he once claimed which was forfeited after the last war in Waikato. But the Native Minister was in no hurry to bring about an expression of Tawhiao’s views, or to approach the King with proffers for his allegiance. The event has proved the wisdom of Sir Donald’s policy. During his visit to the North—which is not yet ended--the reticence of Tawhiao gave way. Various indirect approaches had been disregarded, and on the 31st of January the Native Minister received from Tawhiao a written invitation to meet him in his own territory. Two canoes were sent down the river Waikato by the King to convey Sir Donald, and the friendlies and members of the civil service who accompanied him, and on the Ist instant the party started up the river. On the 3rd andjlth insts. important interviews were held. All the information at present to hand will be found in a telegram in another column, and the view- which is taken of it here is embodied in an article which follows. It is only necessary, therefore, to say here, that the King’s first questions were as to the forfeited lands. These, of course, he desired to recover. Tawhiao was, no doubt, perfectly satisfied, in his own mind, before the interview, that the restoration of Waikato was out of the question. Maori law and custom were opposed to the idea ; and when Sir Donald informed him that to return the forfeited territory to the King was not in the power of the Government of New Zealand, the Parliament of New Zealand, and the Imperial authorities, having dealt with it, Tawhaio appeared to abate his hopes and wishes. Sir Donald assured him of fair consideration if he assisted the Government to maintain law and order in the territory which was more immediately under his influence; and upon that understanding all the subsequent discussions proceeded. The absolute result we shall probably not know until Parliament meets in- July next; but the great movement in this long-protracted game of political chess has been played—and white has won. The formal opening of the Ohinemuri country, now accomplished informally, will not now much longer be delayed. Sir Donald McLean will return thither as soon as -his business on the Waikato is finished, and any lingering unwillingness to suffer the miners to enter and mine upon this long-tapued tract of land will have been removed by the attitude now assumed by the King towards the Government. And while we are waiting for this event to be finally accomplished, we learn by telegram that the Government agents have succeeded in purchasing from the natives a very large tract of land in the Taupo district, which it was impossible to visit only a year or two ago, being held by natives who were hostile and savage in an extreme degree. It comprises some magnificent wooded and open land, situated in the finest scenery in the North Island. Mr. O’ilorke, in a speech to his constituents at Onehunga, deliberately repeated his statement that he had made his late colleagues acquainted with his determination on the provinces-abolition question before the resolutions on the subject were submitted to the Assembly. He re-asserted that one member of the Cabinet agreed with him on the subject, but had not subsequently acted up to his expressed intentions. He was understood to refer to the Hon. Mr. Reynolds, the Commissioner of Customs. He further asserted that he had spoken personally on the subject to the Premier, who complimented him on his courage in adhering to a falling cause. The matter will probably have passed into oblivion before farther explanations in Parliament are possible, unless it should be incidentally revived over the resolutions that the Government are pledged to submit next session. The Minister of Justice (Mr. C. C. Bowen) was entertained at dinner in Christchurch before leaving Canterbury with his family for Wellington. The Superintendent of the province presided, and the health of the guest of the evening was toasted in a very complimentary manner. A presentation of silver plate, valued at £3OO, was made to Mr. Bowen in the course of the evening. So far as the public have been made aware, no communication has as yet been received from Mr. Vogel, although letters may be on board the vessel which brings the Suez mail of the 25th of December, which is expected here on Monday, though not due until the 19th instant. Nothing has transpired during the month as to the proposed changes with reference to the composition of the Bench, and as to the districts of which respectively they shall have charge. His Honor Judge Richmond proceeds by the ship Howrah (which is expected to sail to-day) to England, on leave of absence. The impression grows that his Honor Judge Gresson, who was to succeed his Honor Judge Richmond at Nelson, will resign. Among the more prominent colonists who have lately gone or are going home for a trip are, the Hon. Mr. Sowell (who is not expected to return), Mr. W. Turnbull and family, Mr. Krull (Gorman Consul), and family, Mr. John Martin, Dr. and Mrs. Hector, and Mr. Seed (of the Customs Department). The thirty-fifth anniversary of the foundation of Wellington—which is also that of the colony of Now Zealand —was celebrated here on the 22nd of January, with great eclat, and those of Auckland and Nelson hare followed. Here the old oelonists dined together in strong force; there were sports undpr the management of the Caledonian Society; excursion trips by sea ; a regatta ; and a ball for a charitable purpose on board the ship Soukar. All business was neglected, and as the day was one of the finest of the season, the holiday was one of the most genuine kind. Since then some of the “old colonists” have set on foot an agitation for the benefit of those among

the founders of the province who yet survive in Wellington and they are numerous. It is urged that, as the Government has become so liberal as it is in the matter of free immigration,.and in opening up the lands and furthering settlement, it is no more than fair that the fathers of New Zealand, who paid their own passages, fought their way with varying success through enormous difficulties, and paved the way for those who are now deriving immense advantages from their labor and capital in preparing the way for them, should be complimented with a substantial gift of land. The claim is one for which much could be said ; but which is equally arguable on the other side. It is not improbable, however, that the energy of the old colonists will carry this matter, with strong support, to Parliament when it next meets. The next session of the Provincial Council of the province of Wellington will be held in April next. The immigrants who have arrived lately in considerable numbers in all the leading ports of the colony continue to be absorbed with a rapidity almost wonderful, and fully justifying the wisdom of the policy under which they have been brought out. The cry, in fact, is for still more men. So far as Wellington is concerned, all the recent arrivals have been employed, with the exception of a few who are still on Somes’ Island, having been passengers by the ship Berar, on board of which disease broke out on the day after she sailed. Most of the Gormans, Swiss, and Scandinavians who arrived by the ship Humboldt have been sent to Wanganui, Foxton, and Patea, and have been readily engaged at wages to which the Germans had not been accustomed. It is to bo remarked, also, that the wisdom of the policy of the Government is still further proved by the increase which is observed in the returns from the railways both in the North and the Middle Island. On the Otago lines the ascertained and calculated profits on the working of the' railways will hereafter form a very large item in the revenue of the country, and of the province ; while although a very small section only of the Wellington and Masterton railway is completed, it already produces an increasing revenue, which shows that when the Superintendent refused the offer made to him, as representing the province, by the Treasurer, at a moderate rent—which he considered excessive, and accordingly declined the proffer —he would have made a most splendid bargain for the province of Wellington. So much the better, however, for the Colonial Treasury. A resolute effort is now being made to resuscitate the Chamber of Commerce here, and give it vitality. A public meeting has been held, at which the attendance of the more influential among the citizens was large. On the motion of the Mayor, the annual fee was fixed at two guineas, with an entrance-fee of one guinea. The list will be open till the 27th instant, and after that date candidates for membership will have to undergo the ballot. There is every probability that a very strong chamber will be formed, and if the services of a competent secretary are retained, the chamber will be of much service to the public. Matters occur every day in the growing trade of tho port which will come under the notice of the Chamber, and in the proper determination of which the advice and influence of that body will be of the highest importance. As a corollary to this, we may add that the wharf and sheds having been taken back by the Corporation from the lessees—Messrs. Jackson and Graham —were sold by auction a few days ago. They produced rents amounting to £BIOO, or more than double what they had previously given. The new tenant is Mr. Jackson, one of the former lessees. The increase of rent, there is no doubt, is justified by the increase of the trade of the port. Her Majesty’s ship Rosario sailed for Sydney on Friday morning. It is probable that after a time H.M.S. Pearl will take her place permanently in Port Nicholson, having been made a present of to New Zealand, to be used as a training ship. The harvest all over the islands is reported upon as good, and wheat and flour are rapidly falling in price. The Volunteers have held their annual prize shooting this year at the Thames. The champion belt has fallen to Skinner, of Auckland, a member of the Armed Constabulary.