SETTLERS' DIFFICULTIES.

Patea Mail, 23 October 1880, Page 3

SETTLERS' DIFFICULTIES.

Sir, —As the time for the exciting stile by auction of deferred payment lands on the Waiinatc Plains is close at hand, too much cannot be said in warning intending purchasers to calculate all their liabilities. Xn addition to a high first cost foi the land, carting of materials of all kinds foi building, fencing, firewood, &c., the new settler will soon find himself annoyed and robbed of bis cash and bis cattle by the natives, judging by our experience here in Kormauby. During the last twelve months many hundreds of horses and cattle have been driven from this township and neighbourhood ; many of them impounded and recovered at great expense, while some horses have been worked for six and nine months, and given up when a largo reward lias been offered. I saw a horse yesterday recovered from the natives who bad been working it above Parihaka ; mere skin and bone, and not worth now the reward. One case here is very hard. An old man who earned his living by means of an express had his horse stolon more than twelve months ago, and offered a reward. The natives tell him to offer more and lie can have it. Ihe Hon. Mr Bryce lias been appealed to in this case, but be treats it with silent contempt. Kindly raise your warning voice, and make it publicly known what intending settlers on the Plains must bo prepared for. A SUTTRKIt. Kormanby, Oct. 18th.