THURSDAY, JULY 22, I88O.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1258, 22 July 1880, Page 2

THURSDAY, JULY 22, 1880.

The question of efficiently settling the "King difficulty" is one that has occupied much attention of late years, and very justly so if we have regard to the advancement of settlement. It is this native sore, festering from neglect or unskilful treatment, which has retarded the real progress of the North Island, keeping it in the rear of it<* neighbor,

i| miicfy- less^iavorett by Nature. ' Ever since the war there has existed in the minds of the dispossessed natives a rankling distrust, which has been fostered by those designing spirits who constitute the power behind the throne of the Maori " King." It has long been the- belief of thoughtful people that the real solution of the difficulty is to be found in the dismemberment of this King party, the most direct result of winch "would be the creation of a better feeling on the part of the Maoris towards us. The severance of those bonds which bind the natives to Tawhiao, and i through him to all the barbarous institutions of their race, would be succeeded by a feeling of sympathy with the European race, which, though it might never be genuinely strong, would at any rate remove all danger of a concentrated outbreak. So long as the bundle of sticks, however weak individually, remains united by a common bond, it is an instrumentto be feared ; but separate them aM then potency for evil is gone. BM far the most feasible plan of those\ which have been put forward as that of settling tire more loyally mcnnecl natives on such portions of the confiscated lands as have not yet been applied to other uses. This was the plan adopted by the late Sir Donald McLean, and in part carried out by his Government. The idea was a most unpopular,, one at the t time, and was so because it was attempted to foist on the European settlers of the Waikato a class of near neighbors from \vhich no rates or taxes were to be demanded, and which might, in the then disturbed state of affairs, exercise a system of terrorism over them. We allude to the proposed scheme of locating some of the natives on lands on the Waipa River ; which certainly was a blunder. But there are many other places where the Maoris might be settled, and where these objections would not hold good ; such, for instance, as the locality wliere a tribe was recently installed by the Hon. the Attorney-General. The Government have introduced a Bill, 'a copy of which has been sent us, entitled "An Act to provide for the settlement of certain natives in the District of Waikato." The Bill, which has been read a first time, commences by .assuming that it is expedient that the Governor should have power to provide lands for the residence and settlement out of the unsold Crown lands, of those of the rebellious natives who have returned to their allegiance to Her Majesty. The Act is to expire at the end ,of two years, when fresh legislation can be made to suit the exigencies of the then existing circumstances. The schedule includes all the land remaining undisposed of out of those lands confiscated at the close of the Waikato war ; but it is intended that the settlements shall be formed as far as possible from European settlers. The objections urged against Sir Donald McLeans scheme will thus be met, and while the main object of the policy will be attained by gradually the better dispositioned natives from their infatuated "monarch," no violence will be done to the feelings of those pakeha settlers avlio are not possessed of any very deep affection for their dusky brethren. We trust the measure, which appears to be a fair one, will receive the assent of the Legislature.

The Lands Court which has just concluded its sitting in Cambridge has been in many respects a remarkable one. It has in the comparatively short time in which it sat adjudicated upon an immense area of land, and results of a highly beneficial nature may be expected to flow from its action and decisions. Altogether about 290,000 acres of land were adjudicated upon, of which quantity 113,000 acres were passed through in small blocks and the ownership definitely settled. A block of about 60,000 acres of the remainder was advanced so far as to settle its ownership by the respective hapus ; while the balance, viz., about 100,000 acres, of the Whaiti and Kuranui block was so far adjudicated upon that as soon as some internal surveys are completed it can be easily and rapidly dealt with by a subsequent Court. We are confident that no Court has sat for many years — in fact we might say ever sat — in which as large an area of land was put through Avith so much expedition and so little dissatisfaction to individual claimants, and in which the proceedings have been so orderly and quiet in and around the precincts of the Court. To this result many factors contributed : first, the dignified painstaking yet firm conduct of the Judges ; becond, the great ability of the solicitors and negotiators employed, amongst whom it will not be invidious to mention the name of Mr Sheehan; thirdly, the evident wish of the natives to pass their lands through the Court, and as a means to this end their apparent determination to conduct themselves with decorum and sobriety ; and, fourthly, the co-operation which the Court, purchasers, and natives found in the hotelkeepers who closed their respective houses for the purpose of preventing natives inclined towards inebriety from carrying out their wishes in this respect, and so obstructing the proceedings of the Court. In this. article we do not purpose to review the advantages which the district may expect to obtain from the opening of such an extent of country, but will merely

Njontenj* ourselves with giving a short account of the various blocks adjudicated upon and their respective areas and position. The first block passed through the Court was Mangapouri. This block adjoins the property of Messrs Maclean and Co., being bounded towards the north-west by the Okorairo block, where the firm mentioned have erected an out-station and brought a large area of land under cultivation. " The" Mangapouri block consists of 6000 acres of very good land. In addition to the boundary rnentioned'-it is also bounded by' the Wailiou River and Otara Creek. Mangakaretu was the second block adjudicated upon. It contains 12,000 acres, and is also land of good average quality. It lies between the Poharuhonua and Oraka Creeks, and adjoins Mangapouri. Opouwaru, which contains 3500 acres was next brought before and rapidly passed through the Court. Opouwaru lies between Rangakaretu and Mangarautawhiri, and is a compact little block of very superior land. Pakuranga and Mangarautawhiri then occupied the Court, Kokako having Iteen called upon but adjourned, owing to some dispute. The Pakuranga block contains 12,500 acres; it lies to the west of Tokoroa, and adjoins that block, Mangarautawhiri, and Waipa. Mangarautawhiri is bounded by the Oraka and Ngatuwera Creeks; it contains 6277 acres, and is a very compact block, having good natural boundaries. Te Whetu was before the Court a very short time, and the claimants to it had no difficulty in establishing their title. It has an area of 3266 acres, and lies to the north-east of the Tokoroa block. The last - mentioned , block - (the Tokoroa) was the largest block brought before the Court (with the exception of Kuranui and Whaiti), consisting as it does of 51,500 acres. It is bounded partly by the Pakuranga and Te Whetu blocks, but mostly by native land. To this block there are no natural boundaries — the eastern line skirts the Tokoroa Forest. The block is well watered, as the Ratarua, Whakaura, and Tauroakareru streams run through it, into which streams several creeks find their way. This block consists of light land, the soil being largely intermixed with pumice. Much diversity of opinion exists as to the land and its capabilities, but the general opinion is that it will make a good sheep run. Waipa adjoins the Okorairo block (first mentioned), on the western side ; the Waipa River runs through it ; it is bounded on the eastern side by the Pokaiwhenua Creek, on the south by native land, and on the west by tha Waikato River and the Paeroa block. This was the only block in which any of the Ngatihaua tribe succeeded in obtaining an interest: it contains 11,425 acres. Kokako, a long narrow strip of land, adjoins jyEangarautawhiri and Te Whetu ; it is bounded by the Waihou River and the Oraka Creek : it has an area of 7420 acres. All these blocks consist mostly of undulating land, the hills and ridges being covered with fern, and the plains and gullies with wi-grass a coarse tussocky grass which is found about 20 miles beyond Cambridge, and upon which the wild horses, of which there are a great many on the plains, seem to thrive. So much in explanation of the land, its position, area, and vegetation : to the question of its development and settlement, and the benefits that may be anticipated therefrom, we shall return in a future issue.

Mr. E. B. Bishop, the writer of the letter which appears in our report of the Cambridge Farmers' Club, is a gentleman of influence in Canterbury, and one who takes a deep interest in everything relating to the agricultural advancement of the Colony. The suggestion contained in his letter must not therefore be regarded as the expression of any whimsical idea, but as the natural outcome of a practical mind. The alacrity with which the members of the Christchurch Corn Exchange have taken up the suggestion is conclusive proof that there is something in it, and we are glad to see that our local institution, the Cambridge Farmers' Club have unanimously followed auit. Mr. Bishop points out that while the permission granted to brewers in England to use sugar in their beer was intended to benefit the sugarproducing colonies of the Empire, the principle has been productive of harm as regards New Zealand, which does not produce that commodity. The passing of an Act prohibiting the use of sugar in beer would, he very justly contends, advance the interests of agriculture, which at present is the only industry in New Zealand, by inducing the farmers to grow a larger area of barley, " which would " always command a better price and " be more remunerative than other cereals." It is perhaps a secondary consideration, but the use of malt and hops alone would improve the quality of our colonial beer : be this as it may, it is our duty to further in every way the interests of the farmers, and with that object we give our cordial support to the proposal emanating from Canterbury.

We do not for a moment question the wisdom of the decision arrived at by the Cambridge Farmers' Club on Monday, but it is a real pity that cattle will not be included in the exhibits at the forthcoming show in October. The members living

that pleuro does tftill exist in the district aYe justified in acting with extreme caution, for as in a show the best stock in the district would naturally be brought forward, the danger to be apprehended from infection is much greater than it otherwise would be. In saying that by October, pleuro in Waikato will be a tiling of the past, Mr Clark is no 'doubt right, but going upon the principle that prevention is better than cure, few will be disposed to find fault with the Board's decision. The result will however be that, unless the most strenuous endeavors are made, the show will be a failure. To attempt, in a cattle-raising district such as this, to hold a show without cattle is a, great undertaking and the members of the Farmers' Club will have to take a deeper interest in its affairs than they have for some time done, if they hope to succeed. It is quite within, the bounds of possibility that an excellent show could be held, buff it is only to be brought about by earnest and painstaking exertions:

Some time ago the Tuhikaramea Highway Board obtained a grant from the Government of L5OO or L6OO for the purpose of opening a road between Hamilton and Ngahmapouri. The money was expended partly on the road through Jolly's Swamp, which also forms a portion of the Hamilton -" Whatawhata Road, partly in felling the bush and forming the road near Cox and Williamsons boundary; .\nd the bahnco in making an outlet and road-drain ao-oss a portion of Williamsons Swamp. The excavated material from the drain being only peat, the road is in consequence not fib for traffic, and will not become so until topped up with clay. The local Board have, we believe, made application to the Government, through the member for the district, for a further grant for the purpose of completing the road. This .work is highly necessary, as at the present time there exists no practicable road for wheeled traffic between Hamilton and Tuhikiramea. It is to be deplored that the expenditure which has taken place should have proved so futile, and it is to be desired that the additional money necessary will be speedily forthcoming. There is a large area of good land in the Tuhikaramea district, the rapid settlement of which is retarded only by the want of propar means of communication. Being thus isolated, capitalists seeking investments have not the same opportunity of comparing its advantages with those of other places as they have in those parts of the Waikato to which there is direct communication. This road will open up a large portion of land in the Hamilton Highway District, tho Tuhikaramea District, and that of Mangapiko, it will l>e the shortest and best route from Hamilton to Alexandra, and its completion must therefore considerably enhance the value of the land in its vicinity.

The Pakuranga hounds will meet at Gwynne's Hamilton Hotel next Wednesday, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon. We understand that the hounds are in particularly good fettle, will run well, and excellent sport may be anticipated. The hounds will arrive in Hamilton during Monday. We hope to see a large meet.

Mr William Gumming is just now constructing a wharf near his brewery on the river bank, and the steamer Waikato has been moored there for some days to assist in the work of pile-driving. This step has been rendered necessary by Mr dimming' s largely-increasing business.

The Hamilton Light Infantry Band did not march to the Bridge .and play selections on Tuesday evening, owing to the inclemency of the weather.

J. Palmer Campbell Esq.. Chairman of the Cambridge North Township Highway Board, invites tenders for the services of an Engineer and Surfaceman for ensuing year. Tenders to be in by 4 p.m. on Tuesday next.

A meeting of the trustees of the Cambridge North Township Highway District was held at the Town Board offices on Monday evening last, when J. Palmer Campbell Esq., was unanimously re-elected Chairman, and Mi\ C. P. Thompson, Secretary and Collector for the ensuing year.

If, as we understand, the new road from the railway station at Claudesland to the Hokonui road, tho land for which was given by Mr Claude in exchange for a roadway which has been clos? d bj the Board through his estate has been declared a public road, it ought now to be opened for traffic, and the temporary fence across it taken down. If not yet declared, it is to be hoped that tho Board will lose no time in doing so, as it will be a great advantage to settlers, more especially as through the inaction of the Borough Council, that portion of the Hamilton Taupiri road within the Borough is in such a state as to be almost impassable. The ratepayers of the Kirikiriroa district and the public generally would be glad to have some information on this subject.

During Tuesday night and all day yesterday rain fell very heavily. So far the bridge approach on the West side has stood the downpour better than was expected, although the water has found its way through the weak places, leaving several ugly-looking fisures in the sides. On the East side, the water, which, in the incomplete state of the drainage in Bridgestreet, still finds its way past the tollhouse, broke away yesterday morning, and flowed over the bank, washing out a large gully. About mid-day, Mr Daley, the toll- keeper, observed the ravage, and succeeded, by placing a large mass of clay in the newly-formed watercourse, in restraining the water in its old channel. Something of a more permanent nature ought to be done at once, or the whole of the artificial bank upon which the tollhouse stands will be swept away.

Miss Coleman has received the appointment of assistant teacher in the Hamilton East public school.

At the annual meeting of the Pukekura Highway Board a discussion was raised on the subject of the proposed bridge over Mystery Creek, and it was stated that it was owing to the Hamilton Highway Board that no action had been taken. At this pnint the creek formed the dividing line between the two districts, consequently the bridge and its approaches will have to be constructed at the joint expense of the two Boards. If Aye remember rightly, this work has been considered desirable by both Boards, but owing- to some misunderstanding on the part of one or both no definite arrangement has been made. When one Board has been prepared to pvooeeti with its portion of tUe work, tii 9

other has either had some temporary objection or has not been in a position financially to undertake its share. We believe both Boards will commence the year with a balatve on the right side, and we hope they will definitely arrange the necessary s>teps for carrying out the work. The present track and the ford are totally inadequate to the wants of the district, as the creek is only fairly passable during BUimner months. We would urge upon the two Boards the desirability of making the bndtfe without delay, as not only would it prove of great convenience to a large number of ratepayers, bat to the travelling public generally.

Support Local Industries.— Merer?, Ridlcr and Dalton, Kiwi Mills, aye producing the best of flour from Waikato grown wheat. For prices, see advertisement in first column, page two. — [Advt.]

Thk names of the trustees, auditors, and fencevieweis ot the Waitoa Highway District for ensuing jear arc announced in another column. \Vk are requested to remind the members of the Hamilton Chess and Debating Club that the first meeting of the Club will be held at the Court-House to-morrow e\eniug, \\hen the subiect of debate will be the " Foreign Policy of Lord Beaconsfield.