THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2134, 24 January 1880, Page 2

THE WAIMATE PLAINS.

TOWN EDITION.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 23. The “ Post ” to-night in a semi-official manner, says : —“ After a long and careful consideration, the Government arrived at. a final and definite decision on Wednesday as to the course of action in reference to the native difficulty on the West Coast, including the Waimate plains. The Hon Mr Bryce, the Native, Minister, and Major Brown, Uivil Commissioner, left for tlie West Coast on Wednesday, Mr Parris having gone there a day or two previously in ■the Stella. He was to have left for Opunake on the’ same day with about 90 Armed Constabulary, but her boiler being found out of order, her departure was deferred until this evening. This will increase the strength of the Armed Constabulary in the vicinity of the Waimate Plains to about 800 men. With this force it is intended quietly, but at the same time steadily anti certainly to push 1 oh the main i road from Huwera and New Plymouth along the coast, crossing Waingongoro and passing, Opuuake. The A.C.’s, in the first instance, will do no more than roughly form the road, after which the metalling of it will be let by contract. : This road, although it necessarily would be of great strategic yalue in case of difficulty, is intended merely to faciliatc the peaceful settlement of the country, and no opposition is anticipated from the Maoris. There is to be no taking possession of the Waimate Plains in ah aggressive sense, for general confiscation of the Plains has never been challenged, and no question as to the validity and confiscation has been, or, will be, entertained. Government assumes that they have always been in legal possession of the land t 6 be utilised when desirable, but instead of advertising it for sale, and proceeding, to survey it off-hand, without making the road through it, and laying off reserves or ascertaining what native rights have to be provided for, the Government have expressly instructed Major Brown to assure the natives that ample reserves will be made for them, and their wishes consulted as to where these shall be situated. The Boyal Com-, mission will investigate all alleged Government promises brought before them by Maoris who are to be urged to take advantage of this, probably .the last opportunity they will Lave of raising such questions which will be dealt with fairly and impartially, and every sound claim equitably redressed. Major Brown is also instructed to take every possible opportunity of personally explaining the points to natives (including Te Whiti himself, who will be kept officially informed of all-that is done), and to circulate Maori translations of the Act, of the proclamation of which we published an abstract on Wednesday. By the time the road is inade the Commission will have reported, and the Government will then be in a position to proceed with the survey and the peaceful settlement of the Wains, after making due provisions for all valid native claims. It will be remembered that it was the reckless intrusion on some private native holdings last year that mainly provoked forcible resistance. This is to be studiously avoided, and indeed the utmost care will he used not to wound the feelings of the natives, or provoke their opposition. It is believed there will be no such opposition, but that TV Whiti, being con?-, vinced that Government is the stronger of the two, will quietly accept the position. In any case, however, the Government, with 800. troops and 1500 volunteers on the spot, is master of the situation.”.