THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3032, 2 November 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1878.

Pabliamentaby actions during the last week hare conduced to inspire a more hopeful feeling in this community. The satisfactory settlement of the differences between the two branches of the Legislature on the Railways Construction Bill must be regarded as favorable to the district. The passage of a vote of £15,000 for deep level prospecting may be accepted as a concession on thfc part of the ilGovern« ment to the representations made from persons. resident here and in Auckland, while ihe settlement of the Broomball claims to, the Aroha Block and the passing of the Harbor Bill are substantial evidences that the claims of the Thames have not been disregarded, so. everybody is now inclined to Bay they " knew things would come out right." But although legislative sanction has been given to supply the several wants of the Thames, and the session is really over, it must not be supposed that nothing further remains to be done. The Aroha Block has been acquired by the Government, and Mr Broomhall's claim has been retired. The next step, we presume, will bo to hand over the land to the administration of the Auckland Waste Lands Board. This body, we say, does not possess the confidence of Thames people. By their blundering action they were nearly instrumental in alienating the land from us in favor of strangers, and it may be a question whether the block should be entrusted to them to administer. If it can be done, j we should prefer to see the Government take the district in hand, and deal with the land directly. This may not be possible/bit 'it would be more satisfactory.! J^3:|>e|j»n'sK*eßiding here than handing it over; to the' Lands Board. The Jatter's actions in regard to land in this district have been of such a character that we hare 110 faith in them.

Months ago it was pointed out to them that there wns a block of land at their disposal on the banks of the Waihou river, somewhere abovo Hikutaia, but they have done nothing towards putting that block on the market. If they pursue the same course with tho Aroha land when it shall have been handed over to them, we may possibly in six or eight months' time hear of a survey being authorised. In another six or eight months' time a further step may be taken; and when most of the people who are anxious to get land have left the district, the block may be ready for sale-—probably to be picked up by speculators. Some, Thames people have been clamouring for a special settlement for years, and the present seems a good time for once more urging their suit. At any rate it would be advisable to memorialise the Government for a portion of the Aroha block to be set apart for sale on the deferred payment system, because if some step of this kind be not taken, the probability i» that the whole block will be placed in the hands of the Board, and some time or other put up to auction to the highest bidders; a course that will undoubtedly attract the land sharks and result in looking up the country for an indefinite period. The probability of the railway being constructed will necessarily enhance the value of the land, and everybody would prefer to see deferred payment settlers get it to its being bought up for speculative purposes.