NATIVE AFFAIRS IN WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume IX, Issue 515, 7 September 1875, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS IN WAIKATO.

Thr reports of native Commissioners and Resideut Magistrates U ; d before Parliament are of an eminently sati-fictory character, ait soeiking of the frienJly disposition of tin M tori*, of their growing desire to trade vrith JBurjpCim, and tjK adopt our customs aad insticutious Mr ilaraanr" reports of the natives in aad around Rig lan, Aotei, and K*whia, that th y are living quietly, and tint drunkenness and crime are rapiJlj decreasing, l'etty thefts wore at one tima rife, but were easily suppressed bjp miking example* of the delinquents detected. Mr iUrsmt says the natires exhibit a growing dupontim to appreciate our laws, and their provisions are so frequently discussjd in tlieir vil'ages (hit they are better acquainted vrith tbe common law than many Europeans, and exceptional legislation is therefore no looger necessary. He, however, recommends that some easily available and inexpensive form of mirriage should be derived for Maoris. Mr Bush, Government Interpreter, corroborates the above, and »dds some interesting facts, illustrating how severely the natives feel the degradation of imprisonment. Hj also speaks of the waning influence of Haulnuism, and the beneficial results of the interview between Sir Donald McLean and Tawhiao. Major Mair reports a marked improvement in the relation! between the Kingites and European, there being much less reserve and distrust than existed iv formsr years, aad an increasing desire to arrive at some arrangement by which *hey. may, while preuerriug in sorao measure their native independence, establish a permanently friendlyjootiog with the Pakeha. Major Mair goe*#o'n to state that though thero still exists an obstinate uncompromising party of chiefs of the old school whose policy is " No Surrender," the majority of the Kiogites {are in favour of maintaining friendly relations and free intercourse. The chief obstacles are the jealousies of th* chiefs, and the anomalous position of tbe Waikatos, who, having no territory of their own, are endeavoaring by long residence to establish a sort of interest in the lands of Ngatimaniapoto. The knowledge of thi< fact by the latter creates a want of unanimity between the two great tribes. The report notes the increase of trade between the tw.> raoes, the interests displayed by the natives in the Agricultural Show at To Awamutu, and the exten« sion of agricultural operations at Kopua, \Nhere many thousands of bushels of wheat and o its were harvested last year. From the number of deaths, and the epidemics that have prevailed, Major Mair isof opinion thtt a gradual reduction in the number of the natives is going on. H# notes that there has beeu a marked diminutioi in the consumption of ardent spirits, owing to the influence exercised by some of the chiefs. Oa the other hand, there his been an increasing demand for agricultural implements, Hauhnuism exists in a mild form, and indifference is exhibited to the necessity of education. The expressed desire of a few natives to petition the Imperial Parliament for a Commission of Inquiry regarding land transactions Major Mair traces to the teachings of intriguing and mischievous Europeans. He condemns the wasto and extravagance connected with the large annual meetings, but be regards them as so many safety valves, and thinks that so long as the natives separate after each meeting with the understanding that they are to remain quiet until next assembly, there need be no apprehension, because though no actual advancement n made by European civilization we are not losing ground, aad the way is being prepared for an amicable settlement of all diffi culties, which soon r or later will be ineveitable, and must result in the opening of largo tracts of land fur European capital and enterprise. The disposition of Tawhiao to reside permanently at Kawbia is thought to indicate an approaching partial separation between the Waikato and Ngatimaniapoto tribes. Major Mair refers ia terms of confidence to the visit of Bewi to the > Bay of Plenty, his subsequent friendly attitude, and the establishment of a portion of ihe Hauhau section of Ngatiraukawa at Otautahanga, just beyond the confiscation line at Orakau, their object being to grow grain nearer to a profitable market, and perhaps to prevent oooupation of the land by Ngitihaua. The Major deduces comforting conclusions from the discontinuing of the natives in military service by the Government, and the stimulus imparted to the cultivation of wheat and potatoes by the failure of tha flax industry. Altogether this and the other reports are of a most satisfactory and cheering charaoter.