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Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4312, 26 October 1882, Page 2

As a sample of the utter incapacity of the present Government to deal with the native question with any degree of ability, we (Hauraki Tribune) may point out iwhat is now taking place with reference; to a very considerable block of swamp land. Several years ago the natives themselves offered a large block of land to. a "purchaser, and the person'who was then presumed to be a- Government officer, stepped in and interfered with the purchase, declaring,, most''solemnly, that tit was a block **&odSr negotiation for the; Government." The -latest aensation in the affair is, that the land has. passed, nto the hands'of a'mere land shark ;' that he refuses to pay any rat-js, because his title | is not complete; and that the County are) afraid apparently to surf bin*, "while they have spent and are spending some £700 in drainage that is solely! and-entiraly for the advantage: of this;block of I«nd. 'The natives had sold tiie land to the Govern* ment, and the Government had, with its usual wise and gracious policy, paid the price out of the pockets of other people, and then abandoned the purchase ! i!