NGARUAWAHIA.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1282, 16 September 1880, Page 2

NGARUAWAHIA.

__ — +. — __ The Withdrawal from Sale of Subbnrban Lands. The following has been forwarded to the Minister for Lands on the above subject : — The Hon. the Minister of Lands, — Sic, — At a numerously attended meeting of the people of the place, held on Saturday evening, the 11th inst., the enclosed resolutions were unanimously adopted. It both grieved and vexed the inhabitants when they learned ttirbugh the Prees last week that the policy of injustice meted out to Ngaruawahia by successive Governments was still to bo continued, and that the wilderness of fern and ti-tree that surrounds the place was still to exist instead of the cultivated fields and grass paddocks that would replace it, if our industrious and thrifty inhabitants were given an opportunity of doing so. The settlers a*k for no favour from Government ; they himply require to be allowed to purchase the lands that surround them, which they are prepared and willing to do, and in this wish they think they are entitled to a share of the consideration that seems to be lavished on natives. We have the honour to be, Sir, Yours obediently, / Bobebt Lamb, (Signed) ) ?' f "z/atbick, v * ' i James Lindsay, \ Tho3. Pattkkson. Ngamawahia, September 13, 1880. The above named gentlemen, who were selected as a committee at the meeting on Saturday last, in reference to the above subject, also put themselves into communication with the members for Waipa and Waikato. Mr J. B. Whyte, being in Hamilton, took the matter up at once and telegraphed to the Minister of Lands, he has also written more fully on the subject. We have not yet heard of any reply. Although the member for Waipa Avas not so immediately available, being at Temuka, he is fully conversant Avith the position, and his promises during his candidature in reference to this matter arc not atall likely to be overlooked. We venture to say that a definite reply Avill soon be vouchsafed, and Aye trust for the sake of the district generally, and for the Ngaruawahia community in particular, that the prayer of the petition may be accecded to. Hope long deferred, Szc, may Avell be applied to this most ill used part of the Waikato district, which Avas forcibly exemplified at the late meeting, when one of the oldest inhabitants, and one who had suffered in the past from being unable to acquire any of these lands, although desirous, and in a position to do so, expressed himself " that it Avas no use, he Avas heartily sick of the meetings ; how often had they gone over the same ground, urged the same arguments, and to Avhat purpose 1 They had better give it up and turn their attention to some other parts."