The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1879.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 413, 2 April 1879, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 1879.

Thr Hawera correspondent of the Wanganui Herald, in a lengthy letter on the Wairnale Plains question, says : “ Wo all know its very easy to descry and ran with the hounds, bat one tale must not be taken for granted until another is told. Not for a moment do I think that the present Government, with its civil commissioners here, have acted in all cases wisely ; but I would like to know where another body of leaders can be found who would have acted more judiciously. JSven now I would challenge any correspondent from among the Opposition, and their name is Legion, who, knowing all the circumstances, with the present result of the attempt to unravel this Wairnate difficulty, to lay down a workable plan by which the Plains could have now been peaceJully settled , or even in a fair way towards settlement. Of course the ease must be taken up from the advent of the present Ministry. I boldly assort that all circumstances being considered no better course of action could have been adopted. The grand mistake was made by Sir D. McLean not taking the land immediately after the great war with Titokowarn, when the Maoris were broken down and beaten, and without heart to oppose.” Vo lake up the, challenge, and defy the correspondent to point cnl any single instance where the present administration has been beneficial. In our minds it will be a difficult task. How the Maori has been kept in quietness so long, is a matter that causes serious doubts to arise, and wo should be glad if the Hawera correspondent could enlighten us. The survey of the Plains has, without question, been carried on peaceably enough up to the recent disturbance ; but is it any satisfaction or credit to a Government to know that they have kept the Maoris quiet till immense sums of money have been expended on surveys, and then they step on and take possession, destroying the pegs and other marks necessary to the sale of the lane. What are the Government about at the present lime? They arc strengthening Opimako and Wnihi in sufficient detachments to induce the Maoris to make a raid upon these outposts. The very idea of sending up men in bodies of twenties and thirties is absurd. It shows an nuJecided.miiuL.and an inability to cone with a question of such vital importance to this district in particular, and the colony in general. Government should have gathered the whole of their force at Wellington, and forwarded them in one body—then a good result might have ensued; bat this detachment system might last for ever, provided that Parliament was not called together, in which event the services of the present Government will no doubt be dispensed with. We leave the question for the Hawera correspondent of the Herald to decide. Perhaps ho foresees a different fate for the Grey Government.