AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4306, 19 October 1882, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

This day. Inspector of Mines. A story ia rife here—how true I do not know—that Mr Vincent Pyke is to be appointed Inspector of Mines, the disqualification notwithstanding. Native Land Purchases. In the matter of the Native Land purchasing by Messrs Hursthouse and Stev ns, as asserted by a. colonial correspondent, some additional light can be thrown on the transaction. 'Mr Stevens went, to Nelson about the affair when i Parliament had finished its work, but before the prorogation. It is the only large block of land in the South Island not acquired by the Crown. It is as rich in mineral, perhaps richer than any other similar area in New Zealand. Mr Mackay, the Greymouth Commissioner, wanted the Government to purchase it, and it was he that suggested the price should be £10,000. Tbe natives had not agreed to accept this amount, and there was nothing said about tbe matter while Parliament was sitting to the best of my knowledge. But as s<>on as it was over Mr Stevens went to see if he could purchase the block as the Government declined, I was told, to do so, and the land, of course, is open for any person to deal with the natives, for no valid agreement can be made with the owners until it is through the Court. What political consideration may have induced the Government to refuse to purchase the block I hate not heard.