TOLOGA BAY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1339, 7 August 1883, Page 2

TOLOGA BAY.

(From our own Correspondent.) The usual monotony prevailing this time of the year has, during the past week been somewhat relieved by a short sitting of the Native Lands Court. About midday on Monday, the 30th ultimo, tbe steam launch Snark, 15 tons, arrived from your town, after a run of about six hours. His Honor Judge Brookfield and staff were on board. The Court opened about two p.m. the same day. The business was the appointment of successors to deceased grantees, and appointing trustees for minors. The Court set to vigorously. and despite the cold, uncomfortable buildiug in which tho work had to be done, His Honor stuck manfully to his post from 9.30 a.m. each day until the darkness of evening set in On Wednesday evening the Court adjourned sine die, having investigated about 150 succession claims, and in every case given suitors the utmost satisfaction. Parties here, look fondly forward to another visit from the Land Court. Many important subdivision cases are awaiting settlement. Tho refusal of the Government to appoint a telephonic station at this plaoa to put us in communication with Gisborne is rather disappointing. Many here think that our representative, Mr Allan M’Donald overshot the mark in his effort to get a telephone line all along the East Coast. Such a proposal was bound to frighten Ministers. Had he striven for a line from Gisborne to Tologa, no doubt after the favorable reception the Government gave to the petition which Mr Allanach, County Councillor, exerted himself about, such a lino would have been established. But it was ever thus. The bridges thrown up lately by the County Council towards the Wharekaka flat are very serviceable, although the timber of which they are constructed is rather too slight. I could tell a tale about the bridge, the specifications, and how people were misled, but no matter. A time will come. In our own quiet way we have been amused muchly up hero about the kettle of fish the Land Company made of their Bill. The good people down your way think they know everything. At all events we may well thank our stars the Bill, with the . lause for getting money under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act, never passed. If the people up here did not know Mr Rees so well, they would have wondered at his effrontery, he denying that the Company sought the same powers as local bodies for levying rates raising money &0., under the Act above quoted. When you know what the little game is, or rather was ’you will sec how beautifully the public were to be both taxed and gulled by the precious Company. The Paremata and Mangaheia No. 2 Blocks, over which the Natives are so have it is said sold to Mr Tliomas Russell, C.M.G., and Mr Williamson, M.L.C. The Tologa Bay River divides the two blocks. The property of the Maoris having passed into tne hands of these two worthy directors, the next move was to borrow money under the Roads and Bridges Construction Act; bridge the Tologa river, and levy a special rate upon the simple ratepayers. As it is,| these worthies will have to build their own bridges, if the Supreme Court does not m the long run set aside the many questionable transactions with respect to blocks of land acquired in the name of the Company or their friends. It was, I believe, a sine qua non in the sale of the Paremata Block to Russell and Williamson that they should put a bridge. There were also other conaitione of little consequence. Should’nt be surprised if the Paramata and Mangaheia deeds were put up the “ spout ” in the London market along with other eligible securities. A wonderful reaction has set in here among the Natives against the Land Company. August 3, 1883.