THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1872.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 265, 14 August 1872, Page 2

THE Thames Guardian AND MINING RECORD. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1872.

If the lands at Ohinemuri are not to be put through the Native Court on the present occasion, which seems probable, there is nevertheless some consolation to be found in the fact that large blocks ofdand on the East Coast—one at all events of which is known to be more or less auriferous —will be dealt with, in all probability, (luring the present sitting of the Court, at ijhortland. From time to time we have heard reports—some of them well authenticated—of the evidence of payable gold on a block of land, which, we understand, is now under sideratioir The day cannot be far distant when the whole of the Peninsula will be thrown open, and, if this particular block passes into European hands, others will soon follow, in spite of Te Hira or any other obstinate old chief who is redded to the ancient ways. The recent Proclamation prohibiting direct purchase from the natives by private parties seems to have given dissatisfaction ..to some of : the natives, who consider they could have made a better bargain than is now open to them. There is, however, another side of the picture : that ? certain land-sharks have been for some time negotiating with the natives, in order to be ahead of anybody else in the purchase of certain blocks and allotments, which ought, if possible, to be open to public competition. Few except themselves will regret that their little game has been spoiled, if any underhand dealings have been resorted to, which we do not say is. the fact, but,, the proclamation bears the appearance of having been framed in view of such a contingency. At the same time, where money has actually been paid bona fide for land, the title to which cannot now be obtained in consequence of the proclamation,' cases of considerable hardships may arise, which we think the Government should take into consideration. The native, equally with the European, has abstractedly a right to sell his land to the highest purchaser, but there are peculiarities in the nature of native tenure which are.

very difficult to. deal with, and there is great danger of land-sharks obtaining a monopoly, in maOy instances to the detriment off the s«blic generally. Wi fiplc no doubt the Governor had strong •advice on‘the subject before issuing -the document which has caused somewhat of a consternation amongtt certain parties interested in the manipulation of native lands in this neighbourhood. The whole question of the tenure upon which much of the land here is held is most unsatisfactory, and may lead to complication’, which will benefit nobody except a few lawyers, whoprobablf way reap a harvest. If the Government .’can only succeed in acquiring large blocks of country in this portion of: the colony from the natives, and put them up at a small upset price to public competition, a much more satisfactory stpto of things will be brought about than at present exists. It is to be feared that some who have been disappointed in buying land from the natives direct at the present time will try to stir up ill feeling with4he Maoris in the matter. But that'serious results are likely to follow we not think at all likely. We look torward to the present sitting of the Native Court here aS being, in all probability, likely to lead to important and satisfactory results,, as conducing to the opening up of much of the country hitherto partially closed. That there may be some difficulties to be encountered before matters are put straight seems probable, but if anyone endeavours to step in and create differences between the Government and the natives in this matter, we sincerely hope lie will be disappointed.