The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1875.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 57, 27 October 1875, Page 2

The Patea Mail. Published Wednesdays and Saturdays WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1875.

Ix a few days Major BroAvn, the movly appointed Native Commissioner, together Avith Mr Commissioner Parris, Avho is about to relinquish office, will be back again in this district for the purpose of arranging seA'cral matters in connection with native lands, and to attend the Native Lands Court to ho held next Aveek. Amongst other questions of importance that they Avill bo called on to deal with is the purchase of the Waimate plains from the native owners. This is a subject of very great importance to the residents in the Patea district, and one, if settled faA’onmoly, that will most beneficially influence the future of this part of the colony. As may ho supposed, negociations have already been entered into, and the visit of these gentlemen is merely for the purpose of clinching the bargain, if a bargain is possible. It Avould seem somewhat odd, in any other part of the Avorldthau the Antipodes,to find Government agents negoeiating for the purchase of land with one of the lately most murderous and bloodthirsty foes of the Pakehn, and outsiders to knoAv that a man like Tito Kowaran, guilty of fiendish cruelty, unheard of outrage, and brutal murder, one for avliosc capture, for hanging purposes, a thousand pounds, sterling avus for a long time offered, should, in fact, be the person Avith whom the commissioner must treat. . It is true that the arch-robol may liot appeal- perf squally on the scene, but Avhatever may be the result of the deal j Tito KoAvarau actually is the consenting and ruling power as to the terms. It will not .surprise residents, wlio are, a’Avare of the fact, hut it may be nows to those at.a distance to learn that he is not, only practically dictator in the negotiations about to be entered on, bpt (more, that ho \-is.its public houses kept by pakelia’ Residents and “ shouts ” regally at times to. .the Maori guard of honor by Avhieh he is iiwariably accompanied—-possibly through fear of justice being accidentally administered. The question is not with 1 his past but his present position, and, as he Avill, in fact, be the arbitrator on the Maori side on the Waimate land, . it may possibly be Aviso to bo temporarily blind to his antecedents, and view him only as the moving spirit, in reference to the business about to be entered on. The policy of the present Government has boon a Fabian one, and there can bo no doubt that Avhat thousands of Her Majesty’s troops, backed by militia and volunteers (avlio by the Avay stood the brant of the Avar) could not effect, the flour and sugar role of Sir Donald McLean has been in some measure successful in. It may at least therefore bo a question as to Avhether, in dealing Avith the Waimate plains, a .continuation of it may not be prudent, even though on some grounds undesirable." That possession of the land referred, to Avould prove an unmixed good to the colony, as affording the means for the prosperous settlement of a large number of people there can be no doubt, and rather than not obtain it, it Avould be even-better to put up with, comparatively speaking, hard terms. It seems that the minds of the native owners -are someAA'hat disturbed ' on’ the matter. Some of them arc anxious to sell and •make money of the land at once, Avhilst 'others, Tito KoAvaran and his party inclusive, object to sale, but are aall ling to grant leases of fourteen years and under. How the Maori differences might be arranged on this head, is hardly worth Avhile to enquire, but at least it

Avoultl bo anything- but aviso to try and force a sale, even if a mere majority of those interested consented to it. It is not likely that settlers would feel secure whilst a powerful minority objected to the terras of their occupation, and here the ministerial policy may come in Avith advantage. The natives, in proposing leases, have taken a leaf out of the Government’s own book, though their success is hardly likely to be equal to that of the Ministry, for various reasons. As a matter of course the Maoris hope, by leasing, to get the laud hack at the expiration of the leases, and arc perfectly aware, that by that time it Ajdll he infinitely more valuable it is at present. In the ordinary course of events this would be the case, but wo much doubt whether, long before the leases expire, the fee simple has not passed arv.iy from all or nearly ail of the. proprietors. As every one, even slightly acquainted Avith Maori character, knows, leaseholders would be certainly and constantly asked for rent in. advance,, and when supplies from this source stopped, offers would be made to sell out and out, at probably a far lower 'price than the Government would give at the present time. Leasing from the Maoris direct, Avithout the intervention of Maori Commissioners, would moan merely postponed sale, ami therefore there cannot he any great objection to agreeing to the terras the natives arc Avilling to offer. Leasing Avill, at all events, be a step in advance, and foothold will be obtained on one of the finest pieces of land in the colony thereby. If s thorough agreement to sell could be obtained it Avould unquestionably be the best mode of procedure, but, if that is not possible, the alternative offered is not to bo thrown away. In the hands however to Avhieh the business is committed the best possible will bo done ; we hope that on the two gentlemen named above leaving the district, the difficulty Avill be effectually arranged, and that before many months have elapsed, the • Waimate plains, on some conditions or other, may be taken up by a large number of hardworking and industrious people.