The Native Minister at Te Aroha.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5246, 10 November 1885, Page 2

The Native Minister at Te Aroha.

(FBOM OUE OWS COBBEBPONDENT.)

' \Te Aboha, Yesterday. Mr Ballance arrived here on Saturday evening and forthwith promptly commenced business the evening he received four deputations at Warren's Hotel, where he is located until Tuesday, when he proceeds to the Thames. Mr J. B. Whyte, M.H.E., briefly introduced the first deputation, consisting of fifteen deferred payment settlers on blocks 11 and 12 Te Aroha. They had several grievances to bring forward, complaining that the land they had settled upon was not up to the description of it as given by the Government Surveyor, thus getting them to settle under false pretences. They also complained of the drainage being in« sufficient, and wanted Government to reduce the price of their laud, and to assist them also by paying for part of the drainage. Mr Ballance remarked that the price of the land could not be reduced except by special act of the Legislature; as regarded the drainage, he would get an efficient person to report upon it, and with the help of the local road board and the settlers themselves, he had no doubt that the required drainage could be constructed. After some irrelevant argument the deputation withdrew, apparently very dissatisfied with the result of their mission, which was evidently to get the price of their land reduced. In the course of bis remarks to them Mr Ballance suggested capitalisation of their payments, which would reduce present outlay to interest only or the exchanging of their tenure to a perpetual leasehold; neither method however met their views.

Mr Pavitt and others then attended on behalf of those interested in the removal of restrictions on the sale of Native reserve. At present the lair was such that although natives wished to sell and others to buy, the land was locked up and could not be negotiated. Mr Ballance referred to his intention to introduce a bill next session amending this, Mr Wilson and a deputation from the Domain Board then applied to the Minister for cash for present expenses. Mr Ballance promised to see that £200 should be immediately granted. !

Messrs Montague, Munro with others attended on behalf of the Gordon Special Settlement Company, and a few minor details of merely local interest were settled.

To all deputations Mr BalUoce was very affable, and in all cases but one he received their warm thanks for his evident care and consideration for their various wants and grievances.