"OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1873.

Waikato Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 July 1873, Page 2

"OMNE SOLUM FORTI PATRIA." SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1873.

To overcome the native difficulty is the question of all others that interests the setters in this district. By our telegraph >P columns it will bo scon that it is proposed by the Government to appoint native councils. We suggested some months back that this step would be politic, for the reason that it woul 1 g<> far tv ponvipce the natives that there w:m no intention either on the part of the Government or ot' individuals lo juggle thorn out of their land, We notice that it 1* proposed ti make the judgment of these councils recognisable by the Native J^ands Court ; in i.ict, to do as we suggested — givo the nntive councils the power to veto auy land transaction within their districts. The councils are directed to report to the Governor any infringement of native rights and customs. It is a nutoiious fact that under the present Acts land bus been often vested in individuals whose claims, if they existed at nil, w< re '•o small as only to entitle tin-in to '»n infinitesimal sharo in the propels of palp. We lmve pointed out that tjie

principal ciiuso of the opposition to the making 1 of roads and intimate intercourse Jirises fiom the lear of the chiefs that to bring" their people in imm«diate contact with Europeans would destroy their influence and power. There need bo no fear that these councils will uct for any length of time as impedimenta to the acquisition of land. The natives have become accustomed to European luxuries, and to a greater extent unaccustomed to work or to live less luxo. riously than temporary neoessity compels. l\o matter how opposed some of the chiefs may be to the disposal of land, their followers will force them to yield, A native, as a rule, does nob look beyond to-day ; if he can get what gratifies his passions for the time being, he is quite willing to leave the future to chance. It will, of oourse, be the duty of the legislature, as has hitherto been the case, to make sufficient laud inalienable to support the natives if disposed to work. We anticipate good results from the Bill, of which, however, we have only a meagre sketch. Its principle is good, and it is to be hoped that its details will be equally so.

The annual meetings of three Highway Districts of Karioi, Whaingaroa, and Town of Raglan, were held in the Courthouse, Raglan, on the 22nd of July. The ratepayer* of the Karioi District met at 11 u in. Mr Thomas Mitchell was I unanimously voted to the chair. The statement of accounts wad read by the clerk, which was as follows — Receipts rates collected, £11 13s lOd ; contributions in aid of woiks, £29 lfii 6d ; amount received from Colonial Government, £163 3s 8d ; sundries, 17s 6d ; making a total amount of £215 11s 6 1. Expenditure : opening roads, £101 16s 3d ; bridges and culverts, £59 10s ; other works, £1 10s ; surveys and land purchased for deviation of roads, £20 7s 2d ; salaries, advertising, and sundries, £31 8s Id. ; total, £215 Us 6dThe accounts, having been audited by Messrs Duncan and Walhs, weie adopted b\ the Miocting A l ate of Id m t!u> U on the >a-lu»* to >joll >va-s oameJ, with odly tiiuv vlis-ieulienU, who wished for a rate of a \i. The following gentlemen were elected to serve n< trustees fop the enduing \enr, \i/ : — Messrs Duncan, 11.I 1 . I}. Hill, Jerome, Vernon, ,uul \\\ilh->. Messrs R. Q-ilmour and TLomas Mitohell weie appointed auditor') for the current year. A vote of thanks to the cl 1 ur i-lo^ed tho meeting. The Whaingaroa meeting was held at 1 o'clock, Cupt J, C- Johnstonc m the chair, The financial utateincnt was rend, which shewed that the receipts from alj sources amounted to £193 lls. 7Jd, whilst the expenditure hail been £187 4s lid, leaving a balanoo in hand of £10 15s Oid. A ratoof Id in the £ontho\alue to sell was struck, with only tv\o jfd opposcrs. Messrs Gibbeson, Walhs, and Wilson (ineinbors of retiring Board), and Messrs Harsant and John Moon were elected to serve as trustees for the ensuing year. Messrs Gilmour and T. Mitchell were oppointod auditors, The Raglan ratepayers met at 3 o'clock. The chair wat occupied by Mr T B llill, who called upon the clerk to road the financial statement. Receipts had been £101 Os 81, consisting of rotes and Government grant for the previous two Expenditure £96 15s 9d, leaving a balancp in hand of £1 is 9d. A rate of one ponny in the pound was levied Messrs Graham, Gilmour, Hamilton, Mitchell, and Moon were declared duly elected trustees, and Messrs Wnllts and Duncan were appointed auditors. The new Kurioi Board held their first meeting the sumo day. Mr T, B. Hill was chosen chairman and Mr J. LaTrobe appointed clerk, collector, and treasurer. It was decided to hold a meeting on the 2nd of September for the purpose of hearing any objections to the assessment that might be made. The same evening the town of Raglan trustees met. Mr Thomas Mitchell was elected chairman of the new Boirl, and Mr G. Holmes appointed clerk, collector, and treasurer. Their appeal day was fixed for the 2nd of September. At half-past five the majority of the retiring tiustees, with several of the settlers, tat down to an excellent dinner, served up in fir&t-rate bty'o by host Graham, of the Royal Hotel. Mr T, B. Hill occupied the Mee-chaip. After the cloth was removed the usual loyal and local toasts wore given and heartily responded to by all present. Tho company broke up at about 11 o'clock, after having spent t most pleasant evening. A well-informed correspondent of the LytMlon Tunes writes as follows from Wellington :—": — " If we have no factious party Opposition, no three weeks' debates, and it id to be hoped no seven hours' speeches, it is not at all likely that the session will be a short one ; in fact, there are indications of a more than usually prolific crop of bills. It is iaid,and I believe correctly, that the number already prepared for introduction approaches very closely to the 100 w Inch may be tak.en as the average number of new law s added to our statute book each session. In addition to this number, the Wellington members have at least half a doaen little bills to present, and Wellington bills usually prove tough morsels for the digestion of Parhamont. Thej have the reputation of seldom being as mnocent as they look. Amongst the Government bills is a new Native Lands Act. This measure is «aid to have boon prepared with great care, but it is nocessanly voluminous, and it is not likely to escape the adverse criticism ot Mr Sheehan. There are also a number of pnvite bills, headed by the new National Bank Bill, awaiting consideration. The session, therefore, is not likely to be either a short or an idle one." Wo notice that Mr Thomasson (late of Thomasson k Co., Hamilton,) has started a business at Te Awamutu, We wish him success, which we have little doubt that ho will meet with, as there should bo ample employment at his trades derivable from the neighbourhood in which he has settled. We have been roquested to notify that Divine Service will be held in the Church, Ngaruawahia to-morrow morning at 11 o'olock. Wo should be obliged by the rev gentlemen who officiate in the Waikato sending us a hat of proposed services in order that we may be enabled to keep the pubho informed. The following are gazetted members of Boards :—Hamilton East Township. William humming, c'uirman ; Edward Pearson, Charlc* Tipp^n, Homy Mullions., and John KiniuMi* MpD-)ii,>M Himilton: Robert William Hammond, chamn in ; T II W. Morn «, Samuel Suvlo, William Jones, and John Atkinson. Mr Vogel expects to be able to deliver )in Financial Statemont on Tuesday next. Until the Treasurer's statement is before tho House, it is impossible to form any opinion as to the true position of the colony. Mr Edwin Lewis Hope is appointed auditor to the Alex* andra Township Board vice Mr fc>. Mopgnn.