RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1543, 25 May 1882, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Now that the control of all matters connected with the Raglan harbour has been vested in the town of Raglan Highway Board, many persons here are of opinion that the board should take such action as would induce the Government to appoint a pilot for the port. Within my recollection several vessels have had narrow escapes of becoming total wrecks while entering the harbour, which danger might be prevented, provided some persons with a thorough knowledge of the currents and channels in it had been procurable to pilot the vessel in. Even the s.s. Lallah Rookh, which trades regularly between here and Onehunga, has had a good many hairbreadth escapes ; and for the safety of both the lives and property of those who travel by water to and from this port, the board already mentioned would be doing a humane and meritorious action if they took steps in the direction indicated. There is a price of land in the Karioi distiict which has been reserved by the Government for the support of this object, which if leased advantageously would help matters considerably. I believe that by exercising a little piessurc m a regular and proper way upon the Government in refeience to this business, they would ultimately be led to see the necessity of appointing a pilot lor the port of Raglan. Very varied indeed are the impressions which have been left in the minds of the Maoris residing in this and the Kawhia district by the result of their dchbeiations at the Whatiwhatihoe meeting. That the majority of them expected more to have been done at the meeting is certain. That their anticipations led them to expect that the restrictions upon the hai boui at Kawhia would be taken oft', and European settlement tolerated, is equally certain. The expectations which many of them had formed of selling or receiving lent for their lands are not to be realised, and a large section of them aie thereby much disappointed. The example which Wetere the Mokau chief is about to show them in having his land passed through the Land Court, will, however give them courage and confidence to take a more decided stand in regard to their inteicsts in this leipect when opportunity oilers. That King Tawhiao's power at the present time is absolute is quite evident, but that it will always remain so with icspect to the manner in which some of his followeis may please to deal with their landed possessions, afiords room for uncertainty. With little difficulty I could produce strong evidence of tins. There is a geneial feeling of disatisfaction prevalent in the greater portion of the Maori mind just now, with reference to the limitation placed upon their power to deal with their individual pioporty, and it is perfectly certain that the intended action oi Wetere with respect to his lands will be watched with feelings of intense intei est by the majority of the Maori community. lam of opinion that the adoption of such a bold and self-reliant policy by moie of the Maori chiefs than Weteie would do more to solve the native lands difficulty than an infinite number of such meetings as that which h.is just come to an end. With so many social and tribal diffeicnes in existence amongst them it is next to impossible that they could at a public gatheimg come to an amicable arrangement 01 decision in regaid to any political question By some other chance this solution of their land problem must be readied, and the requiem ol their tribal differences sung in pagans by Maoris probably yet unboin. It is gi atifying to notice that the Government have, so far, attended to the lequcst of the Raglan County Council, as to send Mr Orchiston, Inspector of Telegraphs at Auckland, to inspect and report upon the proposed line fiom Hamilton to Raglan. Before the bush was cut on the Hakaramata range the Government of that time gave a sort of promise that, but for that obstacle, they would have erected a wire from here to Ngaruawahia. Hamilton would now be the most convenient place. The obstacle mentioned is, however, now no moie, and with the increased population of tins district, and its frontier character which, in the existing state of the native question, should go for something, the council thought it advisable to again agitate in leference to the matter. In answer to their letter of the sth ultimo, the superintendent of Telegraphs wrote the county chairman to inform him that Mr Orchiston had been dhected to inspect the proposed line. This lie has already done, and his report will now be anxiously looked for. A rumour is current here that the natives are to petition the Government to have Mr R. S. Bush, of Opotiki, appointed Resident Magistrate in Raglan. While here before he made himself a favourite with the natives. lam afraid the Government will not, however, grant their request. —(Own Correspondent. )