VISIT OF THE HON. NATIVE MINISTER TO PATEA.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 296, 16 February 1878, Page 2

VISIT OF THE HON. NATIVE MINISTER TO PATEA.

On Tuesday evening last, as previously announced, the Hon J. Sheehan and party arrived at Carlyle. Through error in telegrams he had not been expected until Wednesday evening. With a view of giving an opportunity for deputations to wait on him Mr Sheehan delayed starting for Wanganui until eleven o’clock Wednesday morning* A special messenger was sent Tuesday evening to Mr Bridge (Chairman of the County Council), and that gentleman was in Carlyle early on Wednesday, and together with other members of the County Council had about an hour and a half interview with Mr Sheehan, and as will be seen from summary of proceedings, with very satisfactory results. The deputation met Mr Sheehan at the County Council Chambers, at nine o’clock, and consisted of Messrs. G. S. Bridge (Chairman County Council), W. Dale, G. F. Sherwood, and E. M, Honeyfield, Questions were freely asked and replied to by Mr Sheehan. Mountain Road. —The deputation were informed that tenders could be at once called to the extent of £3,000 for work on the Patea end of the road, and Mr Sheehan promised, if plans and specifications were at tire Government offices in Wellington, to forward them to the Council. Another £7,000 to be spent on the same road would be available for the Patea Council as soon as loan was floated in England. In the meantime it would be quite safe to prepare plans, so that on completion of work to be now tendered for other contracts could be called. Government wanted the work to proceed as fast as The work wcmld be under the supervision of the

County Council, but Government would reserve the right to interfere if it was found that the Council was not proceeding with the work in a satisfactory manner. The Taranaki County had got £7,000 to spend, which was now being spent. These two amounts made the £IO,OOO transferred from the Tarankai Land Purchase Fund account. The remaining £7,000 intended for Patea County would complete the £17,000 voted by the House Road Deviation. —The question of deviation of road at Normauby would be left to be decided by the County Council. Hospital—Mr Sheehan would inquire if Major Atkinson had promised support to the Patea Hospital to the extent represented, and if it was so, Mr Sheehan would recommend Government to find money to go on with. He, however, thought the Council need not expect that such assistance would bo continued for long. The hospital would have to be supported by the County, with the addition of Government subsidy to the extent given to other similar institutions. To (he question of whether Government would subsidise for money voted by the County Council, a definite answer could not be given. Mr Sheehan promised to inquire and reply.

Hospital Buildings. —-The present accommodation being so inadequate to the requirements of the County, Mr Sheehan promised that Government would give subsidy of £1 for every £1 raised within the dounty, for the erection of new Hospital buildings. This would bo in addition to the £1 to £1 subsidy for maintenance.

Harbor Board Member.— The County Council could elect any person outside their own body to represent them on the Harbor Board, but Mr Sheehan could give no decided answer as to whether—on account of the day of election fixed by the Amended Harbor Act having been allowed to pass —another election could be held before the second Monday in February next year. He would enquire. Building's on Government Reserves. —Government would not give to the County Council the Immigration Barracks and cottages. In case of the VVaimato Plains being opened up for settlement, Mr Sheehan expected there would be a large increase of immigration, and the present buildings would be required. As the place increased in importance larger public buildings would be required. At present it would not be wise for Government to give up the Immigration Buildings. If the Council applied by letter, Mr Sheehan would recommend that the Council should get reserve between the Court House and Immigration reserve, whereon to erect Council Chambers.

Main Road. —Mr Sheehan recognised the peculiar and disadvantageous position of Patea Count}', and would try to get a special grant for the repairing of portions of main road running through native districts out of the vote for native purposes. The Wanganui Council got £1,500 for roads in consequence of £17,000 having been voted for the Mountain Poad. Tire following matters mentioned by the deputation Mr Sheehan said were at present under consideration by tiro Government: —That auctioneers’ licenses should apply to the County instead of as now to the Provincial district—That the County should be the valuing body under the Paling Act instead of Poad Boards.—That Poad Boards should be compelled under a penalty to furnish returns to Government in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Arrangements Act. —That such alterations might be made in the Representation Act as would allow Patca to be represented as a County, instead of as now forming a portion of two electoral districts. —That a Sheep Inspector should be appointed for the County. WatmatePlains. —Mr Sheehan expressed himself very fully on this question, and before commencing, desired that the Civil Commissioner for tins district (Major Brown) should be called into the room, in order that he might hear wiiat transpired between himself and the deputation, and so that there could be no mistake as to his and the Government’s intentions. On Major Brown’s arrival, Mr Sheehan spoke very decidedly, and stated that no trouble or expense would be spared in the matter of getting the Waimate Plains settled. Pie stated that he had the fullest confidence in Major Brown, and gave that gentleman carte blanch. Ho could act as he thought best, and Government would back him up with money, and assist in every possible way. He (Mr Sheehan) had informed the natives that he would not allow anjr interference in the settlement of the confiscated land. The Government were very firm on this point and would not yield one inch of land, but would take care that adequate reserves were made for the natives to live upon, and also that fishing reserves should be left for them along the coast. He understood that a number of persons (including licensed Native Interpreters) had inteifeved with the natives, and made this question difficult to settle, and he intended to give Major Brown full powers to deal with any such persons. He would take the advice of law officers of the Crown, and prosecute, if necessary, and would likewise put a stop to Europeans grazing cattle on confiscated lands in the way it was now being done. He was in favour of selling a portion of the Plains on the deferred payment system. He did not, however, consider that all should be so disposed of. There was enough to meet the requirements of all classes of settlers—deferred payment and cash buyers. A portion of the plains would be sold for cash, but he would take care that what was offered for sale on deferred payment system, should be of equally good quality as that sold for cash. He was going to interview the Waitotara natives that day, and intended to toll them that Government were firm on the matter of survey of confiscated land across the Momabaki, and that they would not allow the survey to be stopped. Members of the deputation expressed themselves as highly gratified at the remarks which bad fallen from Mr Sheehan on the subject of the Waimate Plains. Major Brown stated that lie would use every means in his power to bring the land between the road and the sea into the market as early as possible, -and that he had informed the natives to that effect.

Steam Tug.—lh Sheehan informed the deputation that the sum of £3OO (included in a larger vote for similar purposes) had been placed on the estimates for subsiding a steam tug for the Patea River, and advised that either the Council or the Harbor Board should officially communicate with

him, when the money would be available. Tie further advised that tenders for this service up to 30th June next, should be at once called for. After that time, Patea would have to take its chance with other steam tug services, though he held out hope that the House would continue the subsidy for at least twelve months. _ Several other matters of minor importance were brought under the notice of the hon. gentleman, after which thanks were tendered to Mr Sheehan for his attendance, and for the very liberal spirit in which he had met the deputation.

The Hon Mr Sheehan and party, accompanied by Major Brown, and other gentlemen from Carlyle, started for Waitotara shortly after eleven o’clock on Wednesday morning. At Waverley a deputation was in waiting—Mr Hogg and Mr Winchcombe —who asked on behalf of settlers, that a regular sittings of the R. M. Court might be held at Waverley. Mr Sheehan agreed to the request. The question of stoppage of surveys was also brought on. On the party arriving at Waitotara, they were met by a large gathering of natives, with the usual Maoii greetings of welcome. The natives had expected the meeting to be a lengthy one, but as Mr Sheehan was anxious to be on the way to Wanganui, in order that he might reach Wellington early on Friday, the ceremonial part of the meeting was cut short, and Mr Sheehan spoke briefly and plainly. He stated that Tapa and other natives concerned had been doing wrong in attempting to stop the survey of the Movnalraka Block, and that they must not break the law. Government were determined on this point, but wished to do justice to both Europeans and Maoris. In this case the Maoris had broken the law. If they persisted in that coarse of action, they would be punished, and that they must stop'their evil work. Major Brown had received full instructions, and had power to deal with the natives. They must look to the Civil Commissioner, and consider him the Government. Mr Sheehan considered the natives had received very liberal treatment at the hands of the present Government, who w’ould always treat them J:airly, but they (the natives) must not hope for large concessions in the shape of either land or money. He was busy, and compelled to go to Wellington. If the natives had any special grievance, their proper course was to petition the General Assembly, and their petition would receive every consideration. He (Mr Sheehan) would return in about four weeks, when he would be prepared to discuss matters in detail, but they must not expect that Government was going to give them more than they were fairly and justly entitled to. They had the law represented by Major Brown for the Maoris, and by Captain Wray for the Europeans. They must be content with that. The meeting lasted about an hour, after which the Hon Native Minister and party, accompanied by Major Brown, started for Wanganui. The chief Tauroa went on from Waitotara ahead of the Ministerial party to the native village at Pakaraka. On the approach of the Ministerial party about 250 natives wore in awaiting, and no sooner did trooper Jones, who was about 600 yards ahead, appear in sight, than the Maori welcome commenced. After a short stay the party again moved on. Some of the matters which Mr Sheehan promised the deputation should receive immediate attention, and about which telegrams were promised, Mr Bridge (Chairman of the County Council) said he would give permission to the Clerk of the Council to hand over for publication, instead of holding on to them until they had been laid bcfoie the Councillors at their next meeting. The following telegram has been so handed over : Government Buildings, 14th February, 1878. Chairman Patea County Council, Carlyle. Hon Mr Sheehan directs me to state that copy of the only plan of Mountain Road in Government possession was sent to Hawera Hoad Board on the sth instant. A copy will be sent you to-morrow. I have to-day posted memo, from Assistant Engineer-in-Chief tracings of sections showing work to be done as promised in my telegrams of last week. John Knowles, Under-Secretary Public Works. A telegram was received by the Hon Mr Sheehan, at Waitotara, from the Hon Colonel Whitmore, stating that money voted by the Patea County Council in aid of the Hospital, would be subsidied £ for £ by Government.