The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 381, 11 December 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1878.

The N. Z. Times, referring to the statement made at the opening of Parliament “ that peaceful relations have at last been established” with the natives, to the reports of the Hikmangi meeting, &c., concdndes that the whole amounts to nothing, and says—“ The touchstone of time has been applied to all this vaporing, and its real character is disclosed. Peaceful relations with the native people are nearer to a rupture at this moment than they have been for years past, and the danger has been brought about by Ministerial boastfulness, and by the necessity which their bragging has imposed of showing something, even in the shape of firewoiks, to Justify and sustain it. They are ‘face to face’ at this moment with a very serious native difficulty arising out of the ‘success’ of their dealing with the confiscated land in the Taranaki County, and particularly with the Waimate Plains. If this difficulty be dealt.with in a cautious and etatemanliko fashion, as we are fain to hope if will

be, by the Native Minister, the danger may pass away, but the gingerbread glo;y of ‘ the personal influence must go with it.” Te Whiti is also reported to have said to a chief who interviewed him about Hiroki, that “the trouble is about the confiscated land ; you give up that, and I will give up -Hirokn Why do you ask for Hiroki when \Viiitele3’’s murderers, Sullivan's murderers, and Winiata are at large ?” Our contemporary also says, and we regret to say we for some time past have had good reason to boiieve it* true, “ that there is much excitement .amongst the natives, that the Parihaka people have been selling ■ off their cattle and horses, and that there is a great demand for ammunition.” . We have refrained from saying any-

thing on this matter, as we were in no way desirous of creating unnecessary alarm, and hopeful that satisfactory reasons for the wholesale selling off would in due course be foithcorning. The lying state-, ments circulated amongst the Maoris by Hiroki, in reference to the murder of McLean, are wholly believed by his countrymen, and instead of being looked upon as a thief and cold blooded murderer, he is looked upon as a hero. Kimbledlent, who, on Sunday week, was visited by a number of Europeans, asked one what was thought about the murder, and being told, expressed surprise, he,and natives far inland, having heard only Hiroki’s lying statements. It is satisfactory to be able to state that the Europeans most concerned are in no way apprehensive at the selling—off mania of the Natives.. We have-for some time past looked forward a little eagerly to the visit of the Native Minister, having every confidence in that gentleman, and being hopeful that he would he able to solve the mystery, and give assurance of. peaceful intentions on the part of the natives. There is much to be satisfied with in respect of Mr Sheehan’s visit to Taranaki. On that occasion the renowned old warrior Rewi entered New Plymouth for the first time since the Waikato war, itself an event of no small importance, and which may be taken as strong evidence of his trustfulness in the Government and confidence in the people. Mr Kelly, M.H.R, at the banquet, said that Rewi and Mr Sheehan had arrived at an understanding regarding the land to be conceded for the Waikato railway, and the holding of Land Courts. Sanction has been obtained to the exploration of route for the line, and Dr Hector (Government Geologist), has been permitted to go to Mokau, with a view of making his way through to Waikato. There is reason to hope that Rewi’s influence will be used in the direction of quieting the fears of such natives as have been alarmed, or unduly excited by the late events—chief among which for evil has been the unfortunate murder at Monuihaki. The Parihaka country, or rather the natives in that strange place, appear to have been skipped by the Native Minister, and the question of the delivery of Hiioki has been left in abeyance. The race is not always to the swift, and it may bo that the quickest way to a good result is to mark time, as is now being done in respect of native affairs on this ? coast. There are not wanting evidences of thorough appreciation of the present position of affairs by the Native Minister. Good roads are required, and ready means of transport—as also an increase of population. So much alive to the importance of these matters did the Native Minister show himself on being interviewed at Patea, that he readily promised aid over and above the Parliamentary vote for the completion of the Mountain Road, and guaranteed that immigrants should -in future be sent direct from Wellington. It may be that the more careful inspection of the district by Mr Sheehan on his late visit, has opened his eyes to the magnitude of the injustice perpetrated by Parliament, at the instance of Mr Macandrcw, aided and abetted or prompted by Taranaki influence, and that lie is anxious, as far as lies in his power, to make recompense. Aid was promised to Opunake for wharfage, and for the direct steam service between Wellington and Patea, whilst he expressed himself in favour of the railway being brought through Carlyle, and was specially anxious about the completion of the Mountain Road. All these are matters on which the Native Minister was in thorough accord with the deputation, and while from his own point of view it may mean intention to bo prepared for emergencies—for the settlers it means progress and safety. If. as our Wellington contemporary asserts, “ Peaceful relations with the Native people are nearer a rupture at tliis moment than they have been for years past,” then we are sure that the attitude and action of the Native Minister, in more ways than above-mentioned,indicate determination to settle any difficulty which may arise—peaceably if at all possible by patience and fair dealing—but in any case a settlement. The Europeans who would be most affected by any ill-advised action on the part of Natives, are in no way apprehensive, and since the visit of the Native Minister, we feel confident that no trouble, of any magnitude will arise but what can and will be promptly and successfully grappled.

The following is an extract from the letter of a correspondent which appeared in the N. Z. Times of Saturday last, the 7th instant:—“ Curious rumors reach uS here relative to the action of the natives on the West Coast. It is reported that ever since the arrest of the murderer Hiroki at Parihaka, the Maoris there and lower down the coast have been sellihg all their horses and cattle (except the working bullocks), and are evidently in a very excited and unsettled state. But the most remarkable movement has been atKaiwaike about 15 miles above Wanganui where in troubled times there has always been disaffection more or less. Here, we are told, nearly the whole of the natives have sold off their personal belongings, invested largely in ammunition, and gone up the coast towards the Taranaki country, exactly where it is not stated. It is also reported that the Parihaka natives (Te Whiti’s people) do not intend to give him up on any terms short of the return of all the confiscated lands, and that they are told by vheir chiefs to hold on and that they will get all back. Mr Sheehan seems to have left Taranaki without making any demand for Hiroki. What will bis Premier, Sir George Grey, say to this ? It is not long since he told the Waikato natives that to harbor murderers would disgrace them in the eyes of all civilised nations, and that no European nation would hold any communication with any other which should be guilty* of such atrocious conduct. However, no doubt the Native Minister knows what he is about. He has made it all right with Rewi by liquoring up with the old chief and sharing his bed ; only I venture to suggest that the sooner he gets into as close relations with Te Whiti and and persuades him to give up Hiroki, the more he will consult the dignity of the Government, and confirm the peace which has ‘ at last’ been made.”

Census of lands, cultivations, live stock, &c., taken on the 3rd March last, gives as the total area of occupied Freehold Land, over one acre in extent, in Patea County, 65,16.6 acres; Taranaki County, 69,824 acres; Wanganui County, 81,607 acres. Occupied Leasehold Land, Patea Comity, 37,291 acres; Taranaki, 28,873 acres; Wanganui, 66,043 acres. Total number of Holdings, Patea County, 352 ; Taranaki, 779 ; Wanganui, 415. Number of acres of Land Fenced, Patea County, 70,240; Taranaki, 49,822 ; Wanganui, 101,747. In Sown Grasses, after having been ploughed, Patea County, 9,535 acres ; Taranaki, 18,794; Wanganui, 20,720 acres. In

Sown Grasses not previously ploughed, Patea County, 49,506 acres; Taranaki, 25,063 acres; Wanganui 57,206 acres. Land broken up but not under crop, Patea County, 2.728 acres ; Taranaki, 1,414 acres ; Wanganui, 5,724 acres. Total under crop, Patea County, 2,044 acres; Taranaki, 3,148 acres ; Wanganui, 2,855 acres. In Wheat, Patea County, 856 acres ; Taranaki, 1,138 acres ; Wanganui 669 acres. In Oats, Patea County, 581 acres ; Taranaki, 328 acres ; Wanganui, 534 acres. In Barley, Patea County, 75 acres ; Taranaki, 26 acres; Wanganui, 44 acres. In Potatoes, Patea County, 156.acres ; Ta anaki, 538 acres ; Wanganui, 342 acres. In Turnips, Patea County, 14 acres; Taranaki, 316 acres ; Wanganui, 3 acres. In Mangold, Beet, Carrot, Parsnips, or Onions, Patea County, 16 acres; Taranaki, 59 acres ; Wanganui, 16 acres. In Garden or Orchard, Patea County, 164 acres ; Taranaki, 509 acres ; Wanganui, 361 acres. In Plantations of Forest Trees, Patea County, 191 acres ; Taranaki, 26 acres ; Wanganui, 100 acres. The total number of Live Stock in Patea was 160,163 ; Taranaki, 47,104 ; Wanganui, 196,730. Patea has 2,743 Horses ; Taranaki, 2,3b3 ; Wanganui, 3,566 —amongst which are included brood Mares, Patea 539 ; Taranaki, 452 ; Wanganui, 736. Cattle, including calves, Patea 30,181 ; Taranaki, .13,943 ; Wanganui, 169,818 — included in which are Breeding Cows, Patea, 8,897 ; Taranaki, 4,690 ; Wanganui, 5,830. Sheep, including lambs, Patea, 122,854 ; Taranaki, 25,447 ; Wanganui, 169,818 —included in which are BreedingEwes, Patea, 53,502 ; Taranaki, 10,723 ; Wanganui, 67,695. Patea has 7 goats ; Taranaki, 165; Wanganui, 143. Patea has 4,373 Pigs; Taranaki 5,165; Wanganui, 4,489. The total number of all descriptions of Poultry was Patea, 13,109 ; Taranaki 28,266 ; Wanganui 24,877.