THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2872, 30 April 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 1878.

We had occasion lately to refer to the outrage committed by Natirei at Roto* kohu, and on the Puke-Paeroa road, at the instigation of Tukukino. It was suggested that as the County Council were carrying out iome of. the works without further authority than the permission of a few Natives, it would be well to obtain the requisite power under the Public Works Act. This, we are glad to learn, has been obtained. During a recent risit of the County Chairman to Auckland he interviewed- the Native Minister on this subject. Having pointed out the difficulties the County had to contend with, and: the.disheartening effects of these aggressive acts of the Natives,,the County Chairman urged that* the County Council should be empowered to carry out their works without being subjected to the continual obstruction! of a few natives who did not represent the general feeling of the people. The Hon. the Native Minister concurred, and at once placed himself in communication with his colleagues, recommending that the clauio of " The Public Works Act, 1878," empowering the Minister of Public Works to grant authority to enter upon upon Native lands for certain purposes, be granted to the Thames County Council. The Hon. the Premier at once acceded to the recommendation, and authority was given to the Native Minister to act on behalf of the Minister of Public Works in the matter, the result of which was the issue of the following authority to the County Council :—

r "Auckland, April27th, 1878. " The Thames County Council is hereby authorised, under section 78 of "The Public Works Act, 1878," to enter upon all Native lands in that part of the Thames County lying within the Ohinemnri Riding for the purpose of making all necessary surveys in connection with the laying out and construction of all proposed lines of roads, bridges and culverts, and also in connection with repairs, or re-construction of any existing lines of road, or bridges and culverts.—John Shkehaw, Member of Executive Council, acting for the time being on behalf of the Minister of Public Works."

We believe this is the first time that such an authority has been granted to any public body, and the concession to the Thames Cotmty Council may be taken, not only as an expression of confidence that the power will not be abused to provoke the Natives, but also as a further proof that the policy of firmness indicated by; the Native Minister: to the Natives in several districts will be carried out. Mr Sheehan reminded the Natives at Komata and elsewhere that any reasonable complaints would be patiently listened to and regarded, but that any illegal acts or wilful obstruction would be punished according as- the. law directed. We have no doubt the County Council will exercise the powers vested in them by this authority with prudence. Hitherto the County officers have been preeminently fortunate in their dealings with. the Natives, succeeding where former If others failed in removing the prejudices of the Native land owners. Probably when Tukukino and his following realise that they will subject themselves to the operation of the law by aggressive acts of the character perpetrated a fortnight since, they will be less forward in destructive, acts, or in, that passive but not' less objectionable course of action which has so materially interfered wi th the progress of County works and opening up the country..