Waste Lands on the East Coast.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 953, 18 June 1881, Page 3

Waste Lands on the East Coast.

(From the Wairoa Guardian).

It may not be generally known that within the last six or eight months 383,875 acres of Native lands on the TSast Coast have been vested in the Crown by the Native Lands Court, and duly gazetted as Crown lands. About 100,000 acres of the above are in i this district, that is, they are more accesI sible from the Wairoa than from any other centre of population. Much of this large area is broken and covered I with bush, but there is a considerable extent of fair —and in parts rich—pastoral country, it comprises a great number of blocks of various sizes, most of which have been under purchase for some years, the officers employed heing Mr. J. P. Hamlin in this district, and Mr. J. A. Wilson and Captain Porter in the Poverty Bay and Waiapu districts ; but about two years ago the Government placed the whole of these lands in the hands of the latter officer with instructions to complete the purchase, and wind-up the transactions as soon as possible. He accordingly, after having obtained as many signatures as possible to the purchase deeds, applied to the Native Land Court to have the blocks subdivided and the shares of the dissentient owners or those who were unwilling to sign, cut out, and the residue vested in the Crown. In due course this was done with the result as above stated. Captain Porter deserves much credit for the energetic and painstaking manner with which he managed the cases before the Court, and brought the work to a satisfactory completion. It is quite true that in many cases the natives have been allowed to reserve the very best portions of the blocks for themselves ; but then as th#y refused to part with the land on any other conditions, and as it was important to close the transactions without delay, the Land Purchase Officer had to make the best bargain he could under the circumstances. The land has been handed over by the Government to the Auckland Waste Lands Board for disposal, and we trust that that body will soon turn this valuable and extensive tract to good account. To that end the Councils of Cook and Wairoa will no doubt apply to have the land brought into the market as soon as possible, so that it may be put to some beneficial purpose for the advancement of settlement, and cease to be the wilderness it is at pre-

Messrs Pitt and Bennett hold a miscellaneous sale to-day of turkeys, seeds, furniture, hams, bacon, etc.

Messrs. Bourke and Smith advertise an important cattle sale for Monday, and also announce they will sell a consignment of choice trees plants and shrubs on Tuesday next.

The Committee of the Library have decided to hold the Art Exhibition during the first week in August. Intending exhibitors who are preparing articles had therefore better bestir themselves.

The Licensing Bill is said to be undergoing very careful revision. Ths principal new features will be the provisions for licensing and police supervision of all clubs, the imposition of a £4O bottle license, and the introduction of a new license at a nominal charge for the exclusive sale of wines produced in New Zealand, this being with a view to encourage wine production as a new local industry. The chief difficulty experienced in regard to this measure is to provide adequate means for guarding against fraud by ensuring that only bona fide New Zealand Wines, and no other liquor of any kind, shall be sold under such licenses. The penalty for a breach of this clause will, probably, be very heavy.

On Wednesday evening last a most enjoyable reunion took place at the Settler’s Hotel on the occasion of Mr James Lawrence seceeding from the hostship and inducting Mr F. Murray as his successor. Mr T. J. Dickson of the Argyll Hotel occupied the chair, and after the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been given, he proposed the health of the outgoing landlord, and also that of Mr Murray. Of this gentleman Mr Dickson spibke in the warmest terms. He said that Mr Murray had been for some time connected with himself, and he felt proud in being able to state that he had invariably found him upright, and straightforward. He said Mr Murray was just entering upon the sea of life, but he (the Speaker) was confident that if the same course was maintained, the gentleman whose health he was proposing would successfully float his bark into some happy haven, whence, in tbe seer and yellow leaf, he could look back with pleasure to the 15th of June, 1881. Mr Dickson said that although not a matrimonial agent, he would guarantee to provide a wife for the new landlord without unnecessary delay, as the Chairman of the Licensing Bench seemed to consider that a matrimonial partner was indespensible. Of course the toast was received with a perfect salvo of “ Hip, hip, hurrah.” Bumper after Jbumper was concealed beneath the waistcoats of those present, and the usual concomitant of “ He’s a jolly good fellow,” was vigorously rendered. Mr Murray is well known by the residents of the Bay; and as well respected. He is courteous in demeanour, particularly obliging and has earned, as Mr Dickson said, the good wishes of all.