The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 38, 21 August 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 1875.

One of the most important subjects, so far as this coast is concerned, is the throwing open lo the public of that splendid tract of country known ns the Waimate Plains. This land, which is without doubt, the very richest on this coast, was included in the extensive tracts of country which were declared confiscated as a punishment to their aboriginal holder who had joined in rebellion under Tito Kowarn a few years back. We need not dwell now upon the righteousness of that act of confiscation, as most of our readers are but too well acquainted with the atrocities committed in this district by Tito Kowarn and his followers during the late outbreak, and fool that the taking away of the rebels’ land was a poor recompense for butchered relations and blazing homesteads. Home of the lands which were declared confiscated bavc been sold by the Government, and a further portion is shortly to be sold. We all know the great impetus to settlement which the former sales of these lands afforded., and naturally look forward to the time when the whole of them shall bo thrown open to settlers. The lands already sold have been those of native'-*, who, although clearly guilty of rebellion, were certainly not the same in point of culpability as those whose lands yet remain unsold, and are only “confiscated” on paper. Tauroa and his people were more, the victims of Government neglect than the willing agents of rebellion ; unprotected by the Government forces they had either to oppose that front to Tito Kowarn and his warriors which the Colonial forces failed to, or to join in with him and become a part of his following. That they chose the latter course is not to be wondered at, but that they should have suffered the greatest burden of punishment is, ns it is well-known to most of ns that old Tanroa never bad any real sympathy with Tito, and only went with him when left unprotected and in an all but defenceless condition. We are not trying to exonerate Tauroa from blame, nor do we think the loss of his land and the imprisonment ho unmerited, but wo do think that when a subordinate and helpless chief and Ids hapu are made to feel the majesty of the law, that the arch rebel Tito himself, and all his followers should at least suffer equally. So far, however, from Tito or his people having been punished, they have been allowed to quietly return to their Kaiangas, and enjoy all their old rights unquestioned, and have not even been mulcted of their land which, is perhaps the most valuable on this island. The ex-rebel and Ids people claim the Waimate Plains, and laugh at the “ confiscation ” proclamation ; they evidently think their land is like Artemus Ward’s hear, of which the genial showman remarked when the Southerners confiscated his show—“ they didn’t konfiscatc him much ! ” We have from time to time made enquiries as to how the confiscation of the Waimate plains has progressed, but have never yet been able to find that any real steps towards their alienation from their aboriginal holders have been taken. At present the Government policy is one of peace, or as some people irreverently term it, one of “sugar and blankets,” and it is currently reported that sugar and blankets

nrc the means now being used by tin? native officer to persuade Tito Kowarn that the laud is confiscated. Asyetthc ex-rebel lias failed to sec it, and so far as we can learn lie does not intend to see it either now or at any other time ; but that he is quite cunning enough not to precipitate matters, and stop the Government bounty ho manages to partake so very liberally of just now. The Government have been trying to buy out his claim, and have offered to make large reserves out of the land for the natives who now prevent the throwing open of the land, but so far without success. The rebels are sullen and half defiant; they know they committed acts of unpardonable cruelty and treachery, but they also know they wore not vanquished, and smile at the terrors of a law which is only strong to punish the weak, The difficulty is a most perplexing one, as all our instincts are in favor of giving Tito and his people no quarter, but the actual state of the case remains that we are at present powerless to enforce the punishment we have awarded to him and Ids people. The question then arises what is the best course to pursue in order to get the land available for settlement, and we think most people will be of the same opinion as Sir Donald McLean, that it is better to get the hind quietly, even by paying for it, than to allow it to remain the rallying ground of a lot of hot blooded rebels. Were the land once opened up and made the means of locating a large European population then the danger to be apprehended from the proximity of a disaffected tribe would soon cease. As a means of strengthening our increasing foothold f>u tin's coast, tin; settlement of the Waimate plains would prove most valuable, and wo trust the Government will not lose a moment in pushing to a peaceable issue the dispute now pending as to the ownership of this laud. We are aware that the efforts of the Government have been greatly impeded by the intriqncs of certain “ pakeha Maoris ” who have done their best to keep the natives from accepting the terms offered them by the Government. These intriguing persons who have their <7/c.s- on the land with a A’iew to their own enrichment leave done more real harm to settlement than they are over likely to benefit either themselves or the country to the same extent. It is to be regretted such people should be free to work evil unrestrained, and we should not bo sorry to see the law made elastic enough to roach men virtually guilty of “ misprision of treason.” They say new brooms sweep clean, and we should be pleased to see the official bosom of the new Civil Commissioner make a clean sweep of the obstacles now im the way of settling the Waimate ])Lilns. jVTr iParris Las been a -well abused man, and it remains to be seen whether Major Drown will give greater satisfaction. He has a fine chance to earn the gratitude of settlers on this coast, as he knows personally the most of the malcontents, and not having been brought up in the usual style of native officers, may bo able to go about his work in a more successful manner, at least we will hope so.