WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 282, 19 June 1875, Page 2

WAIAPU.

(from our own correspondent.) June 12. A few days ago Mr. Thomas Fox’s store, at Waipiro, was burglariously entered by a Native youth residing in the immediate neighborhood. Fortunately the depredator was arrested before he was able to accomplish his nefarious purpose—the noise made by him after effecting his entrance having attracted the attention of some of the inmates of Mr. Fox’s inn—which adjoins the store — who instantly pounced upon and secured him. He had previously succeeded in rifling the pockets of Mr. Fox’s brother, and abstracting therefrom sixteen shillings in silver, which he acknowledged having stolen. The fellow was given into the custody of the Armed Constabulary at Awanui, and he will probably be relegated to Mount Eden gaol for a few months to ruminate upon his folly. Another native has since been given in charge for felony, and both are now awaiting trial at Awanui, where, for want of a lock up, they are confined in the Court-house —a most awkward arrangement for the contingent who have to use the building as a sleeping department until their quarters are erected. We have now all the machinery for the suppression of crime, with the exception of a lock-up, which, it is to be hoped, will be added shortly, as, without this indispensable appendage, law and order cannot be efficiently maintained.

Since the termination of the sittings of the Native Lands Court, the execution of the requisite deeds for such lands as were passed through the Court has been proceeded with ; but, owing to the most ridiculous restrictions imposed by the Act which regulate these affairs the work has made but little progress as yet. Indeed, it is likely enough that what might be effected in a few days will occupy months. Some of these documents have to be signed by two or three hundred individuals—many of whom reside in distant parts of the province—and what is more absurd each autograph must be made in the presence of a Magistrate. In all other civilised parts of the world the execution of the most important deeds need only to be attested by ordinary personages ; but it would appear that the collective wisdom of New Zealand have made the wonderful discovery that only a gentleman in the commission of the peace is fit to witness the signatures of contracting parties to a Maori deed. The tendencies of the age are towards the simplification of all land transactions, and, in the face of what Mr. Torrens’ admirable Act has done in this direction, during the past twenty years, it is really preposterous to find a retrogression policy, similar to that which characterises the operations of our Native Lands Act, recognised at the present advanced stage of legislation in general. Every body who has anything to do with this precious Act condemns it as unworkable, and eminently calculated to retard the progress of settlement in Native districts. To render the measure practically useful it must be thoroughly amended. In its present form it is outrageously objectionable. The resolution recently passed by the Ngatimaniapotos, in which they express themselves as diametrically opposed to the acceptance of any future grants of rations from the Government, has been much commented upon by the Natives here, who do not approve of it, being, as they are, firm believers in the eleemosynary doctrine. The Ngatiporous think that the Government should do more for them than they are doing—in fine that they should do everything for them. They are, therefore, averse to putting forth those increased efforts for their own advancement and comfort, which their brethren in other parts of the country are doing. They do not appear to possess those expansive views of bettering their condition which the Natives in the Northern districts of the Island evidently possess and develope, to their own advantage ; and, because of this defect, they occupy only a minor position in Maoridom. They have the same facilities for acquiring wealth as other tribes have, but inertness seems to hold them so tight in its grasp as to preclude their taking decisive action in the direction of self-reliance and improvement. Some few are, however, paying greater attention to the cultivation of their land this year than they have done for several years past. Plantations are being extended, and substantial fences are being constructed to secure the enclosures from the incursions of cattle. More wheat and maize are to be sown, and the propriety of procuring better cereal seeds is talked of. The weather still continues wet, windy and disagreeable, with little prospect of a change for the better. The coastal trade has been greatly interrupted of late, and traders can neither send produce to market nor receive the requisite supplies of goods for their customers. The Effie Meikle which left Gisborne for Auckland on the 18th ultimo, has been at Hick’s Bay during the past fortnight awaiting an opportunity to land cargo here.