Extracts from the Observer.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3999, 22 October 1881, Page 3

Extracts from the Observer.

Mr Sealey, author of the widely circulated pamphlet on the land question, " Are we to stay here ?" has come to Auckland to lecture under the auspices of Sir George Grey. Mr Hurst says the contest between himself and Mr Wood for Waitemata will be conducted with all the highbred courtesy of an affair of honour, and the helks lettres will not be offended by the speeches on the hustings. Dr Wallis is oscillating between Auckland North and. West, and waiting to see which Mr Rees will run for, in order not to come into collision with that doughty debater. Public curiosity is somewhat exercised as to when the Government intend to offer for : sale their portion of the Patetere lands. At the beginning of the year two fine blocks (the pick of the whole), comprising an area of 27,000 acres, were selected by Mr Gill, of the Land Department ; and it was given out that this land was to be immediately surveyed and sold by auction in township or suburban lots. Eight or nine months have passed, and the Government have made no sign. Is this delay another concession to the Patetere Company, and will the Land Purchase Department postpone the sale of the blocks until the company has taken the cream off the market P