ALEXANDRA. (From Our own Correspondent )

Waikato Times, Volume VII, Issue 397, 28 November 1874, Page 2

ALEXANDRA. (From Our own Correspondent )

On Tuesday last a native named Tawhia, better perhaps known to Europeans as T.ikcrei, arrived hero on his way down the river to Kaniwhaniwha, which, as most of your re.uleis are aware, is situated between Te llore and Whatawhata on the opposite side of the Waipa, and a few miles below ILuvipipi. It seeras that a European was emj)loyed in ploughing some fond, near the creek, in which the bones of some of Takerei's ancestors were laid, and this land lie asserts was leased by the European in question from some natives who had not the sole light of ownership, as he himself claims to have some say in the matter. lam informed ako that the land has not passed through the Native Lands Courts, in which case, of course, considerable difficulties will arise when a claim to a share in the property is set up by others than those who ha\ c already granted the lease. In this case there might have been considerable ill-feeling between the parties, if not soiaeI thing worse, had not Major Te Wheoro been on the spot and interfered in the matter. As soon as it became known to him, he recommended that the whole affair should be settled by korero in an amicable manner rather than that any force should be used by either party. To this \ cry sensible suggestion both parties agreed, and Takerei at once proceeded to the Resident Magistrate, Major Mair, to whom he explained the whole affair, and in that gentleman's hands the matter, I believe, now remains for arrangemeut. The tact and good common sense displayed by Te Wheoro on this occasion, I consider, very commendable, for although at first sight the matter may appear a very trifling one, yet in this part of the country where disputes or niLsUmlerfalandiilgg with the natives fioxu. tlic ilinci country arise, there is no telling where they may end, if not nipped in the. bud. In Major Mail's hands also I consider that the whole thing may be safely left, feeling assured that it will be settled in a manner satisfactory to all concerned. This Take rei, it seems, was at one time more influential at Maori head-quarters than any other of the King's advisers, and was very much looked up to ; and although of late he has lost a great deal of his former prestige, yet he still pos-ses^es a considerable amount of influence with the Maoris, and seems quite capable of stirring up muddy water if allowed to do so. Who is the Auckland Eicmng Star correspondent hero \ nnd how does he got so' much information which is denied to less favoured individuals? or is it that being hard-up for something original, they manufacture news at will 1 I must say that for a paper which calls itself one of the leading journals of the province, and moreover professed io have such a very extensive circulation, to publish statements which they ou^ht to know are untrue, is, to say the least of it, -v ery shady. But then we are all aware by this time that the Star does not at all mind sacrificing veracity to sonsa-ioi., and that in order to gain a point Jiey would stretch a \ cry elastic imagination to its utmost extent, so that the statement published by them to the effect that Major Mair is to bj Private Secretaiy to Sir Donald McLean was not very startling in Hs effscs amongst our community. The idea may not be a bad one, Lut then I fancy that our M-orthy R.M. knows better, and I can, I think, safely say that there is no truth whatsoever in the assertion. To the Star I say^ "change your correspondent if you wi&h for reliable information ; if not, stick to him." I see that the bridges between Alexandra and Te Awamutu have been fenced across by the Road Board as they are unsafe for traffic, and communication has in consequence been cut off. The Mangapiko Highway Board have resigned as a body, so that so far as our ronds are concerned, we are likely 10 be in a fix unless the Government do as they should have done long since, tl>at is take over the care of our public highways, and see that they are properly cared Tor, instead of handing them over to tne control of a body of men who have proved themseh es ut , erly unwoi thy of the trust, whether through incompeteney or want of means I know not. There is, however, a plain fact scaring us in the face. We have roads and bridges, which are perfectly useless, and at present no one to remedy this pleasant stale of affairs. The general prosperity of an important district must suffer severely in consequent), as the summer now coming on will probably have the effect very shortly of closing our water communication with the outer wo/ld, so that unless some remedy be procured I see nothing for it but carrier pigeons to keep up communication with our more fortunate brethren who are not bridged in as we are.