HAWERA.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 205, 28 March 1877, Page 2

HAWERA.

(from our own correspondent.) March 2G. Dearth of news prevented me from sending you a letter last week, but as it will never do for me to let two weeks pass by without some communication from here, owing to the thought that may arise in some people’s minds that we have suddenly lapsed into a normal state, I must perforce exercise my faculties, and gather something in the way of nows. The Maoris have returned from Parihaka, bringing with them but scant news regarding the business transacted at the meeting, which does not seem to have lasted for so long a period as usual. However, 1 hear that the chief decision arrived at was to the effect that hereafter the white folks and the Maoris are to be considered as on an equal footing, and that in all intercourse with white people, our dusky friends are to abide by our laws. Altogether, the meeting seems to have been a very quiet and orderly one. There was a korero here to-daj, at which Captain Wray, B.M. (who had come up from Patea on purpose), was present. It related to the lease of about 500 acres of land lying two and a halt’ miles from this township, and about a mile inland of the

nm lately leased from the natives by Mr VV. Gr. Watt, of Marten. It appears that about four years ago, an old settler in these parts, who was well known to the members of the Imperial forces —by name, Mr Aikman—negotiated for this block of land, and paid to Tito, the chief native owner in the matter, a sum of a little over £7O for the lease. Tito, however, seems to have pocketed the lion’s share of the money, and did not apportion to the other natives interested their due share of the same. The matter laid in abeyance for a while, but some time in last year another settler named Mr McMasters, obtained a lease of the same piece of ground from other members of the tribe, paid about £7O for the same, and occupied and placed stock, &c., on it. Major Brown, Civil Commissioner, however, would not sanction the lease, as he deemed (as far as I can earn) that Mr Aikman had a prior right to the run. This forms the ground for the present action by Mr Aikman to obtain a fresh lease, which lie was fortunate enough in obtaining, as it was signed by the natives to-day in the presence of the R.M., upon a further payment of a sum equalling in amount the sum originally paid. Had Mr McMasters paid this sum to Mr Aikman, I am led to believe that the latter gentleman would have accepted the same, but the former gentleman, deeming ho had a right to the lease, declined to do so. As the matter now rests, Mr McMasters will have to give np occupation of the ground, and sutler from being “hied” by the natives. This affords another instance of the extreme cupidity of the natives, and of the “ cute” manner in which they extract money from all parties in their transactions with Europeans. 1 may not have stated the matter quite correctly, but have given the substance (as far as I have been able to gather) of the case. Mr Rees, from Wanganui, acted as native interpreter during the negotiations. With regard to the buildings which [ spoke about in mv last letter as being erected, or in course of erection, I neglected to mention a new shoemaker’s shop, which has been put up by our well-known artificer, Mr Noble, whose business is increasing greatly. The additions to the Hawera Hotel are progressing rapidly, and the proprietor of the Bgmont Hotel finding that his accommodation is too small, contemplates extensive additions to his premises, at an early date. The buildings of the Auction Mart, offices, and sale yards of Inman and Co., have been commenced, and will, under the able management of Mr Strang, who was the successful contractor, be completed about the third week in next month. I hear that even another firm of auctioneers. in the persons of an old and wellknown settler, and of a gentleman who, until lately, occupied a prominent position in connection with the Provincial Government, are contemplating starting here, and have already received mammoth promises of support. What can Hawera he coming to? The Ilegarfhy Troupe arc advertised to appear here on to-morrow and Wednesday nights, and although tire prices of admission (4s and 2s 6d) seem high for a small place like this, I expect that they will get a good share of support. If we only had our Town Hall built (how slow we are in this matter) I should predict a greater success for them than will now he the case, as the Block-house is too small a building to enable the troupe to act with full justice to their recognised talents. KB.—We are to have a Jail here.