WANGANUI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5356, 28 May 1878, Page 2

WANGANUI.

(from odr own correspondent.) In my letter of the 6th instant I alluded to the feelings of the up-river and inland natives with regard to the then pending interview of Tawhiao and Government Ministers, curiosity, perplexity, and interest being strongly intermingled. The meeting of HikeTrangi is, however, now a thing of the past, and has, through the medium of the Press and other private sources of information, afforded plenty of scope for thought and discussion. The Maoris are in no way behind their patella neighbors in their search after news, and of course, since the departure of Ministers fr-qjs Hikurangi, the meeting of the “ Parliament us two ” has been the chief topic of consideration. Great things were expected from “ Kerei,” and a new era was looked forward to (to date from the meeting), in which everything was to be made straight. How this was to happen they had no definite idea, but great things were somehow or other expected. But now, in discussing matters, the expression referred to in my last, is as freely made use of as ever, “too much gammon” (on the part of whom, not stated). Pact is, as my opinion runs, the Government Ministers have retrograded in the estimation of the natives. Much was expected to be decisively done, and nothing is settled, either on one side or other. Calling to recollection conversations and expressions of opinion which I have heard, my fixed idea is that the restoration of the Waikato to Tawhiao and his children and followers {i.c. his people), was never expected by them. It:has therefore as much astonished the Maoris as it startled the pakehas, on first hearing ■of tho offers and concessions made to Tawhiao and his tribe. Maoris can calculate pretty sharply, and when the data are given, can come to as rapid a conclusion as can a pakeha. No wonder, then, that they are astonished. The plain query is—Why was Tawhiao to get all the unsold Waikato land, and also all the unsold sections in all the Waikato (pakeha) townships, if they chose to select them, and money to settle them upon their new holdings, also, the big. new residence and ruuanga house for Tawhiao ; likewise the nice salary of £SOO ? and last but not least of all (and which has been too much overlooked by the public) the concession (to Tawhiao) of the right of vetoing, of allowing or disallowing all roads, all surveys, bridges, and railways that might now or hereafter be. contemplated, through (not only the land now in his possession, nor the land to become his as above stated) but all lands over which he (Tawhiao) had any sway (aud which could or would be made a handle for extortion or bribery). The

thing as a whole is so preposterous, that the perplexity o£ the native mind is not to he wondered at. It was almost beyond their comprehension. They knew well that the lata Sir Donald McLean and Dr. Pollen had distinctly told them that the Waikato ■ was alienated for ever—the latter Minister (Dr. Pollen) most distinctly giving Kewi and other chiefs most emphatically to understand that no concessions of territory would be granted, but that all claims or complaints would be settled fairly in the Courts of Law, and under the laws framed by Parliament, appointed expressly for the purpose. The natives remember all this, and have referred to it scores of times in my hearing, as they read it in the Waha Maori, and discussed the subjects,—they knew the Waikato lands were for ever gone, and hence' their astonishment. Now we know that the natives are not easily astonished, especially with gifts, for if a generous pakeha (as has been done) were to make one of them a present of ten shillings in place of warm thanks for the gift, the astonished stranger might probably hear, in reply, “ Could you not make it a pound ? " And this is just the position at present. The offer of Ministers to Tawhiao has so astonished them, that the other tribes, friendly and neutral, may, after their wonder has cooled off, begin to think, that they may come in for a share of the good things too. And why not? It certainly is a bad precedent, for Ilewi’a claims, which are really just in his own:mind, and probably in law, may, expect more than the law will allow. Others may follow suit, and where will be the end ?, However, quantum suffieit. Meantime the upper Wanganui and inland natives are not neglecting their employments, and land: surveying is the subject of their thoughts. Several blocks are under way and after they are surveyed will he probably sub-divided, put through the Court—some blocks will be sold, and probably some retained as reserves. During the sitting of Parliament it is not at all an unlikely thing that some of their chiefs will pay Wellington a visit to obtain advice from Ministers (or members whom they know) and information re 1 land &c. They are also steadily pursuing sheep-farm, ing, which has become a mania with them. If Government could only put down illicit grog-selling among them, and punish those who sell poisoned or adulterated liquor, it would ultimately save many lives. Ido not seo that there could be much difficulty in the latter, although stopping it altogether might take some trouble and time ; but the Government police stationed up the river would soon rouse up if they were legally rewarded oat of the seizures made by them, out of the Hues, &c. They are well off this'year as regards food, and have been clearing off light bush land with a view to sowing grass-seed for sheep-feeding. All their cattle, with one or two exceptions, have been driven back into the bush-clearings and the big bush beyond, and strongly fenced off from the sheep-grounds. These all look well, hut the two curses of gambling and poisonous drugged liquor call for the attention of Government, I may add, that a good newspaper in Maori like the I Vaha Maori, exposing these two evils and the sequel, viz., the p?&. promiscuous intercourse of the ware pune, would, do great good.