THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2835, 16 March 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 1878.

We should be sorry to suggest anything which might be made use of as an additional infliction upon a Minister of the Crown visiting the district, but as we hare such a high official in our midst we cannot but express surprise that it has not occurred to any one or any local body to make representations to the Government regarding the acquirement of the freehold of the Hauraki goldfield and certain portions of the township of Shortland. Ihe | Ohincmuri people hav.e moved in the matter in so far as their portion of the Hauraki is concerned, and it ii understood that the visit of the Native Minister at this time is mainly in connection with the purchase of the lands there and at Te Aroha. The importance of completing purchases in that section is universally admitted, but the purchase of the Hauraki North is not less important. It is contended by some that the attempt to purchase this portion of the Hauraki Peninsula would bo surrounded with insuperable difficulties. . It is said that the income of the natives from Miners Bights fees is so extensive that they could not be induced to part with their rights unless for a prodigious sum. The idea is fallacious. If the extent of the goldfield be taken into consideration, it wilt be found that the return to the owners of the soil is a small one for the acreage. There is very little chance at present of the area over which Miners' Bights can be collected being enlarged. Bather the reverse : the area is becoming. more circumscribed, and. if the section of mining ground profitably worked is r.ot very soon extended^ the income accruing to the Natives, will be considerably diminished. The present, therefore, seems a tery favorable time for the Government to open negotiations for the purchase of the goldfield, and we firmly believe that if some local official were employedto conduct the negotiations, very favorable terms might be made. It might be that an apparently high figure would have to be paid for land within and adjoining the_ Borough. At the same time the Natives could not put a very high price on the hills, now denuded of their most valuable surface commodity, the kauri trees; and the purchase of the whole block would be a great boon in many ways. We need not indicate the sources of revenue now finding their way into the Native purse which would accrue to the local bodies; but we may state that the revenue which would be immediately available from the granting of agricultural leases and depasturing licenses would be not inconsiderable, not to speak of the inducements which might be offered for settlement by selling portions of the land which may have been proved to be non auriferous. We regard this matter as one of the most important in its bearing upon the future of the district. It may be the making of the place for oil time, but if much longer neglected it will be surrounded with as many difficulties as the other Government purchases. With respect to the acquirement of the unalienated portions of the township of Shortland, if the Government could affect the purchase it would be well; but, knowing something of the interests involved, we are not sanguine of the Government being able to assist the present holders in obtaining freeholds. We would, however, urge the desirability of the Government making strenuous efforts to purchase the freehold of the Hauraki Goldfield, and the present seems a good opportunity for doing so.