THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 1877.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2618, 30 May 1877, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MAY 30, 1877.

The Native Lands Court opened in Shortland to-day, Judges Munro and Heale presiding. We are informed that considerable disappointment was expressed by the officials of the Court at the indifference of the respective tribes whose claims had been gazetted to be investigated, scarcely a representative from Ohinemuri, Piako or Mercury Bay-r----whose claims preponderate over the rest —being present. It was decided by the Court to proceed with the succession orders and subdivision claime in the list gazetted, and the Ohinemuri and Piako claims were adjourned, but it is probable that at the rising of the Court here it will be adjourned to Ohinemuri. We confess that we are not much surprised at the turn of affairs; we apprehended something of the kind when writing on Monday last. We believe there is no one in attendance at the Court to represent the interests of the Government. It is said that Mr James Mackay is " expected," but his coming is not at all certain, for, if we may believe half we hear, that gentleman finds his present employment in the interest of southern capitalists .much .more congenial and profitable than working for the Government, who appear -to treat the matter as one of very small consequence. Mr Mackay, we believe, is disgusted .with the half-hearted support he has received from the Government, and it is quite probable that through his absence the complications now existing in regard to the land on which the Government have paid money will be rendered, still more difficult of unravelment. It will be an unthankful duty for any one who may undertake to carry out what Mr Mackay began, even if it be not an impossibilty. The absence of the principal natives from the present Court looks as if they were treating the Court. and the Government with contempt, and it may be that the latter will discover they have lost their opportunity for arriving at a settlement. Not only are the hopes of the people of this district dissipated by the delay, but the projected Broomhall settlement at Te Aroha will have to be abandoned unless matters take a fayorable turn, which the aspect of affairs at present does not warrant us to expect. The apparent indifference of the Government is unaccountable when the nature of the interests involved is consideied.