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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 310, 6 April 1878, Page 2

The Canterbury Press appears to have been considerably tickled at our account of the Momahaki survey squabble, and especially at the allusion to the treatment submitted to by Major Brown on that occasion. The Press recommends that ‘‘the Government should bestow

upon Major Brown some adequate recognition of his bravery and great forbearance iu the conduct of the momentous engagement above related. But his method appears to have been so successful, as at once to suggest the idea that the same method might be applied with advantage to the solution of the native difficulties in general. We beg therefore respectfully to direct the-attention of the Government, and particularly of the young native-born Minister, to the matter. Lot us suppose that at tl<e approaching- meeting at Hikurangi that patriotic young man, instead of discussing politics, were to deliver himself over to be tumbled about in a ‘ rough, playful sort of fashion,’ by a select half-dozen Amazons of the King party. What sight could be more diverting to the Europeans ? What condescension so calculated to soothe the feelings of the Maoris, and to prove to them that all nnkindness was buried ? Of course it would be more impressive if the Premier would consent to be the victim. But we fear that his age, and the dignity of his position, would preclude him from taking part in a romp of reconciliation, upon which, under other circumstances, he would doubtless have entered with the keenest zest. But Mr Sheehan seems to be a victim almost providentially provided for the colony at this crisis. Besides being native-born, he is, as the young lady said of the curate, ‘so young, so pleasing, and so unmarried.’ If he only could capture or captivate from the bevy of tormenting Amazons a Maori Hippolytc, the surety of peace which would be afforded by the possession of so dear a hostage, would certainly lead to his being regarded hereafter as tha wise Theseus of the North.”

The Wanganui Chronicle, referring to the article copied from the Press, says—- “ Our contemporary is fully entitled to have his joke, which is jierfectly justifiable under the circumstances. But putting all joking aside, we rather think that Major Brown correctly gauged the kind people he had to deal with, anil was guided accordingly. Whatever may bo thought of the modus operandi , the results wore eminently satisfactory. But the best half of the story remains to be told, and it is hero that we see how, after all, the Natives camo ofi' oooond bed, and the Major proved that he is no fool, and that he knows how to temper patience and forbearance with firmness and justice in his dealings with the Native race. In paying the Natives last week on account of the Momahakiffhud, he deducted the sum of £4OO as a penalty for the obstruction of the survey. This firm and decided action of the Major may have the effect of teaching the Natives that the ‘ survey obstruction’ game will become a little too expensive to be indulged in so freely in future.”

If the Press will only take the trouble to digest the apt remarks made by our Wanganui contemporary, and note the further extract from our issue quoted by the Chronicle, in reference to the paying over of the money, it will the better understand where the laugh comes in, and even be inclined to give Major Brown the credit he is in this matter justly entitled to.