NATIVE NEWS, BAY OF PLENTY. (OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tauranga, February 1st.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1189, 10 February 1880, Page 3

NATIVE NEWS, BAY OF PLENTY. (OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Tauranga, February Ist.

There has been a great deal of stir amongst the natives in this district during the week, in consequence of the death of the celebrated chieftain, Hamiora Tu. Hundreds of natives from all parts of the coast are assembled, and more are expected to continue the tangi. After keeping the body lying in state for over three days at Matapihi, it was conveyed to the European burial ground (Archdeacon Brown's), and there interred in the presence of a large concourse of both | Europeans and Maoris. Great regret is expressed on all sides that we should have lost such a tnw and loyal friend. i The adjourned sitting of the Native Lands Court will be resumed on the 4th of this month, when it is to be hoped that some decided action will be taken in respect to the completion of Crown titles tjo certain blocks now said ta be almost

completed. It is exceedingly desirable also that blocks upon whioh only small deposits have been paid by the agents should be relinquished on certain conditions, in order that private individuals might proceed with negotiations for purchase or lease, and thus have, instead of tmemproved country, smiling fields and pastures green. The great advantage of getting those native lands passed through ihe Court, no matter in whose interest, Crown or private parties, the native title is, as a rule, almost immediately to Europeans, and apart from other considerations the district will be much benefitted, as it will then obtain from the f ropean holders certain fees and taxis which have to be spent by the local bodies in public works. A number of native surveys are being prosecuted in the Oropi bush both inside and outside, what is known as the Tauranga proper confiscated line, and it is confidently expected that e»:e long our able and popular Judge Wilson, who is also Commissioner, will adjudicate on the whole of them, a consummation devoutly to be wished. In the Maketu and Matata districts, matters are quiet indeed. At the former place, Te Pokiha. better known as Major Fox, is ereoting a very large carved store- j house, or yataka ; the carving in connection with the building alone, costing several hundred pounds, and engaged the attention of the skilled workmen for over two years. I presume the owner, when the work shall have been completed, will have reached the hight of his ambition and will die happy. From Rotorua there is little of interest to report, except theUraham-Wilson complication, which has so far proceeded as to cause five natives to be committed for trial on a charge of forcible entry. The principal man in the affair, and who was committed, is Niramana Fini, better known nyour district and this, as " King Dick." but having heard nearly every hunch back among Maoris called " King Dick," I had better say that the one referred is the Ohinemutu " Kichard the 'I hird." It is much to be regretted that Europeans residing in a Maori district like Uotorua — where it appears the Queen's writ does not run very smoothly — should have considered it necessary to call in Maori aid in respect to a matter of dispute between Europeans only, and I much fear the action taken >v Wilson's hotel will have a very bad effect on the Maori mind, and that as far as the pafcefia residents of Ohinemutu are concerned, it is only tho "beginning of trouble." Ihe natives generally, appear anxious to have the the Waikato, Rotorua, and Tauranga disrticts connected as speedly as possible by public roads under Government authority, and it is only to be hoped that the authorities will cause the proposed works to be pushed on as soon as possible, as, apart from the great advantages which each district would obtain, nothing tends more to the settlement of what is described as ' native difficulty" than pushing main roads through native districts.

Thi. new Puie Cash Sjstcm now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when striitly carried out the customer who bins at an establishment where the goods arc marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinary. and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public h<i\ c hitherto shown them, «md arc determined to give the pure cash sjstem a f.iir trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country bujcrs on remitting cash with order will be supplied -with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as Ctirpcts, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house turniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factor}', will be marked at the lowest remunerate c prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is nhw a\d cm ai>ia bought. An inspection is invited. — Garlick and Ckakwi- u , City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queenstreet, Auckland.