WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 223, 18 November 1874, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from oub own correspondent.) November 14. The Native Lands Court recently held at Gisborne having been attended, by several of the leading Maories in this district, their return is eagerly looked for by all who are interested in the proceedings of that tribunal, and who expect an account of what has transpired thereat, from those who were present during the adjudication. The most conservatively inclined portion of the Ngalipourous are now convinced that every disputed claim to land should be referred to the Lands Court, and are, besides, fully persuaded that ample justice is obtainable at the hands of Judge Bogan. This cannot but be regarded as a very satisfactory state of affairs amongst a tribe whose internal feuds nearly culminated in a sanguinary conflict a few months ago. It also proves conclusively, that the more the Natives are enlightened as to the just and good intentions of the Government towards them, the more they will be led to place implicit confidence iu its administrative policy. As a proof of the productiveness of the soil here, I may state new potatoes of a very superior description have been lately used by some of the Natives. These were planted in well sheltered gardens in July, and although the season has not upon the the whole, been very favorable, the product is remarkably good—some of the tubers being as large as duck eggs, whilst the quality is really excellent. At the present time, when provisions are scarce amongst the Natives, early potatoes are most acceptable to them. If one may judge from bisrecent voluminous petition to the Governor, Sir George Grey belongs to an antiquated school of statesmen, which is being rapidly su jierseded by more enlightened and progressive ones. The document is based upon erroneous premises, and the arguments and conclusions are consequently faulty and inaccurate. When bad logic is employed there must neccessarily be bad reasoning and bad deductions. The ex-governor views the New Zealand Constitution much in the same light as the ancient Medes and Persians viewed their laws ; but the merest tyro in politics ought to know that the Constitution of any British colony does not contain more of the elements of immutability than does an ordinary Act of Parliament; and as it. does not, it can be repealed, amended, or re-east whenever it is expedient to do so. As the new Zealand Constitution forms no exception to this rule, it is perfectly competent for the General Legislature to pass resolutions for the abolition of one or the whole of the provinces, and to submit a measure to that effect to the Imperial Parliament for its sanction. Notwi th standing Sir George’s peculiar opinion as to the unchangeable nature of our Constitution, he tells us, somewhat inconsistently, that he is in possession of reliable information that the Premier, while in England, will endeavor to obtain, by the British Parliament, the necessary alteration in it, in order to empower the General Assembly to carry out the abolition scheme —a proceeding which Mr. Vogel. I imagine, would never think of identifying himself with, either directly or indirectly, knowing as he does, that in his individual capacity he is powerless in such matters, Every measure of this kind must emanate from the New Zealand Parliament, and not merely from a single member of it, although that member may occupy the position of Premier of the colony ; so that Sir George Grey need not fear that the Imperial Legislature will violate its rules to favor any proposition Mr. Vogel might make to it through the Secretary of State for the colonies.

Strange news from Home, concerning the colonies, occasionally reach us. The Western Morning News of the 15 th August, says “ Sir James Fergusson’s resignation of the Governorship of New Zealand, is put down to inability to work with his colleagues.” This if the first time we have heard of such disagreement.