The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12,1877.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 278, 12 December 1877, Page 2

The Patea Mail. PUBLISHED WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12,1877.

It will be seen by report from Taranaki Herald of Waste Lands Board proceedings, that though a stubborn stand was made on the part of one member of the Board, and other members were not inclined to deal very liberally with Mr Christie (a Patea man), and the Ivoto-rn.-mis Small Farmers were unceremoniously thrown over, or rather the area limited to an almost useless extent, that very different treatment was accorded to a company of Taranaki men who had put in a later application for 1 0,000 acres, a selected site, with an immense road frontage, and at £1 an acre, The latter application was at once entertained. The action of the Board in regard to applications lately made for land lias been very erratic, and the favoritism shown to Taranaki as against Patea men simply disgraceful. It will bo recollected that Messrs Skeet and Bayly’s application for laud for a Temperance Settlement was agreed to right off, a prior application by the Messrs Ganc being thrust on one side. All the applications for special settlements, alter being agreed to by the Board, have to be referred to the Government. The Board having agreed—that is, the local men, who are considered to be best able to advise as to applications, and who hare boon selected as being specially fitted to carry out the provisions of the Waste Lands Act—it is looked upon, as a matter of course, that Government will assent imquestionmgly to recommendations made by the Board. The present Government do not, however, view the matter in that light. Wo learn by telegram from New Plymouth, that Government has declined to assent to Board’s recommendation that Skeet and Bayly’s application should be entertained. So tar as applications from Patea arc concerned, there lias been trouble enough, truly, with the Waste Lands Board, without further opposition from any other quarter. Messrs Skeet and Bayly have been refused, not by the Laud Board, but by Government. A prior application from Mr Christie is still under consideration, and will, likely enough, meet the same fate. The present Government hare made a great show of favoring settlement throughout the colony. A telegram from Mr T. Kelly, Member of the Assembly, gives an instance of the good intentions of the Government to this district in particular, by stating that a vote of fourteen thousand pounds for the Mountain Hoad, was carried against even the opposition of members of their own party. The Government evidently desire to get the credit of being wellintentioned, whilst at the same lime giving a most unmistakably vigorous slap in the face. Their professed desire to open the land to settlement is belied by their action in discouraging private enterprise and Associations of men whoso chief desire is to promote settlement, and hon a fide to settle on the land. Having no powers themselves to open up country to settlement, they appear determined not to allow others to do so. We scarcely need point out the damaging effect such tactics will have on tins district at the present time. Just on the point of bounding ahead, hope running high in all quarters, people hungering for, and straining every nerve to become owners and occupiers of land, and at a point where (in the interests of the colony, and ta prevent the possibility of mischief in future from disaffected natives,) it is most desirable settlement should be encouraged, we have Government stepping in and vetoing arrangements made by the Lands Board to promote settlement—thus paralysing private effort and throwing a damper over the whole district. The stopping of the survey of the Waimato Plains, has created a feeling of distrust in the present Government, and such a determination to hinder settlement as is shown by vetoing Skeet and Bayly’s application, will raise a feeling of positive abhorrence. The probabilities are that the Small Farm application (comprising nearly 200 members) will be vetoed in the same manner. Whilst having no very high opinion of the Board, as judged by its late actions, we consider that members ought to show some spirit, and resign rather than be snuffed out of existence by the autocratic action of an unscrupulous government. The people themselves should give expression to the strong feeling of dissatisfaction which attempts to binder the settlement of this district have engendered. It will not do to take kicks and cuffs with thankfulness.

accepted within two months. No arrangement has as yet, been made with Mr Thomson to superintend construction. That will be an after consideration. The Board lias decided to torn laud granted by the Amended Harbor Act into cash as speedily as possible, and by affirming the desirability of so doing - have taken the first step to that end. iFmay be, and probably will be, six months or so before the land can actually be sold, by which time it is hoped the work will be well under weigh, and full value obtained. A determination to have funds ready to discharge liabilities on completion of contract, it is believed will materially influence contractors in tendering for the work, besides which it will give a sturnulons to private enterprise, and a value to land throughout the district which cannot fail to enhance the general prosperity. New settlers will be attracted, and all will be beneiitted. Half-hearted action or divided councils will only hinder the progress it is now so needful to stimulate.

A comiESPoNDEXT writes—The Taranaki A Jcics has an editorial in its issue of the Ist instant, apportioning the merit of originating the idea of a Harbour at New Plymouth, and of steadfastly following it up, I have two slight corrections to offer, la the first place the primary instruction to Mr if. A. Carrington, from the Directors of the Now Zealand Company, was to select a place with a good harbour ; and when lie was asked at a public meeting how ho had carried out this instruction, and whore the Harbor of New Plymouth was. ho triumphantly replied “That Port Hardy in D’Urville’s Island was the harbour for New Plymouth.” Mr If. A. C. has never yet been able to bridge the distance of ninety miles which sepxratcs Port Hardy from New Plymouth ; but, well, it is not. of much importance—he is entitled to the credit of what he did. Next I would point out that Mr Stafford is entitled to the credit of onginating the idea that a harbour of Refuge could be constructed at New Plymouth, with, I believe, penal labor, and a cabinet of Royal Engineers reported to him on the subject, at his request, in 185G or 1857.

Cablegram from Agent-General states

that subscriptions arc being raised to erect memorial chapel to passengers lost in the Avalanche, at Portland. A branch of the Bank of New South Wales has been opened at Now Plymouth On account of the heavy traffic passing along the Main Road, it was deemed advisable by the Foreman of Works to temporarily strengthen the Kakaramea culvert. Last Sunday the work was done, and it is now believed the culvert will carry eight tons. Mr W. Cowom will hold his usual monthly stock sale at Kakaramea at two o’clock to-day. Midhirst Town and Suburban sections will be offered for sale by auction at Wanganui and New Plymouth, on Saturday next, the 15th instant. All interested should not fail to attend cither at Wanganui or New Plymouth. Particulars in advertisement. Court Patca, Ancient Order of Foresters, will meet at Carlyle this evening for election of officers, &c. Mr F. R. Jackson will hold his usual stock sale at Waverley on Friday next. The 'Wellington Church Chronicle for December contains, amongst other interesting matter, a long and favorable review of the “ Life of Archdeacon Henry Williams,” a book written by Mr Hugh Carleton, and lately published. McDowell and Co have opened at Caldwell’s new store, Waverley, and will hold clearing sale of drapery goods. At Waverley on Friday evening, an entertainment will be given by the Waverley Minstrels. The local men are expected to astonish all beholders. As the cricket match—Pick Handies v Bats—did not come off on Saturday last, it will be plaj’ecl next Saturday, the 15th instant. Team to use Pick Handles will be chosen from the following names: — Messrs Fraser, Fetch, Jacomb, Baddely, Kitchen, Taplin, Tcnnont, Baggett, Dixon, Goutts, F. T. Horner, Dr Croft, D. Williaras, Climie, Kilgour; and (he team to use Bats from the following:—Messrs Dascnt 4, Horners 2, Clack, Coworn, Hargraves, Harris, Hutchinson, Turner, Norris, Bourke, and C. Symes. Wickets to be pitched at 1 o’clock, and game will commence shortly after. Tlie Auckland IJerald, in an article on native affairs, when discussing the possibilities of war, says:—“ All aboriginal races who are foolish enough to make war on European colonists, arc fated in the end to come to illimitable grief if they persist in fighting. It may cost the wiiitcs no little money, many valuable lives, and years of lost time, but conquer they must and will. The history of all colonisation tells the same story, and the history of the last seven or eight j r ears shows that the events in New Zealand of the previous ten have warned the small body of disaffected Maoris of the worse than madness it would be for them by any overt act to arouse the latent power of the European, now more consolidated than ever, ]ust as it would be wisdom iu them for their own sakes to cultivate and establish peaceful intercourse on a permanent footing.” This is the way one of our exchanges tells it:—“ The festive, troublesome fly is in his glory. Housekeepers bring their ingenuity into use to prevent him from ....... ...... ...j ; > 5 all over the furniture, occ.

supported it, against strong opposition from some of their own party. “Immediately after the session, either the Native Minister or the Native Secretary will proceed to the district to settle matters. “T. Kelly.”