ARRIVAL OF THE HON. J. BALLANCE. Auckland, January 28.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 87, 31 January 1885, Page 6

ARRIVAL OF THE HON. J. BAL LANCE. Auckland, January 28.

Tub Hon. J. Ballanco, Minister for Native Affairs and Defence, arrived at Onehunga from Wellington by the Hinonioa early this morning. He came into town later in the day. In the courso of conversation with one of our reporters, Mr Ballance said he intends to remain in Auckland until Monday next, when he proceeds to Waikato. He will go to Alexandra first, and will probably see the natives at all the different placos there. He had invitations from most of the chiefs to meet them, and it was in response tn these that he went. The natives wished to discuss land and railway matters with him, and also the question of native policy. After visiting the Waikato, he intended to proceed to the Thames, and then purposed going down the East Coast, fle would land at Tauranga, and pay a visit to the natives of Rotorua, who were anxious to see him about matters relating the Hot Lakes. They were greatly troubled about their rents, which they said had not been paid since the begining, With regard to the ronts, it was the intention of the Government to make the lessees pay. The Government were virtually trustees in the matter, and as the rents had been held to be legal, the Government were determined to enforce payment. He would call and see Ropata at Tologa Bay, and discuss questions relating ■to land, which appeared to be occupying the minds of the natives all over the island just now. From Tologa Bay he would proceed to Gisborne in order to be present at a meeting to be held there on the 24th of February. Our reporter inquired the intentions of the Government) respecting annexation, and Mr Ballance replied that tho Government had now no intention of sending the Hinemoa to Samoa. She would have gone had it not been for the reply received from Lord Derby. The vessel was at his disposal in the meantime, but she might be called South sooner than at present intended, in order to take the Governor to the West Coast Sounds, At all events, we could safely say that she would not go to tho Islands or Samoa. He would meet sevoral deputations before ho left town, Major Shepherd had already called upon him with a request that he should accept the services of a new corps of cavalry volunteers which was being formed at Pukekohe. The Government were not inclined to accept the services of move cavalry corps at present, buc he was considering whether they might not be enrolled as mounted rifle volunteors.