RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1563, 11 July 1882, Page 2

RAGLAN.

The news of the capture of Winiata has been received with much interest by the Maoris in Kawhia and the surrounding districts. They exhibit no feeling of hostility to the action of the Europeans in affording countenance to such a proceeding ; on the contrary, I believe that the appeavance of Packer's murderer amongst them was considered to be detrimental ,to the friendly relations which they are desirous to preserve with the white man, and that consequently his removal from amongst them offers no cause for regret, excepting amongst the membeis of his own tribe, where there appears to be a good deal of astonishment and sorrow evinced at the unexpected turn which things have taken. They have been so long accustomed to the namby pamby native policy of some previous administrations, that the stern course of precedure now being pursued by Mr Bryce has taken them by surprise. With the European residents there seems to be but one opinion, and that is, that the action of the existing Ministry in regard to native affairs is deserving of much commendation, and will ultimately prove to be productive of much benefit to the whole colony. Only those who have been long in contact with the Maoris can fully comprehend the change which lias come over the Maori mind within the Last few months, in regard to the manner in which they were used to view the desires and commands of the European authorities. Since the advent of the present native policy, and subsequently the capture of Te Whiti, and the suppression of the Parihaka difficulty, they have been made to realise their true position, and have been brought to understand that the weak and vacillating administration of native affairs in this colony, which, till the time spoken of, had been pursued, is now defunct, and that die mandate of the white man must be received with respect and attention. And I believe that the more intellectual portion of them arc not at all vexed at the change just mentioned. The n\ix indu&tiy still progresses steadily in this district. Mcs&r& Gilmour Bros, have leased a piece of land, on which they intend to erect a mill. Mr L. Sutton has started work in Mr Mitchells old mill at Karioi. If both these mills are kept working they will assist in greatly increasing the quantity of prepared flax now being exported from here. Messrs Ormsby and Kendall arc also about to effect some novel .and substantial improvements on their property with the object of facilitating the transport of the green article from where it is now being cut to the mill. The erection of the flour mill at Kawhia is now finisned, and the Maoris arc quite jubilant at the quantity of wheat that o.m be turned into ilour with it in a short time. It works excellently, and reflects great credit upon its builder, Mr Wm. Liddell, of Ruapuke. It stands upon Powewe, the site of Mr Charleton's old residence. It stands in the midst of a good wheat producing district, and now that an inducement has been offered for the growth of this cereal, there is little doubt but that a large area will be sown by the natives of Kawhia this season. The flour w hich is now being ground at the Maori mill is being extensively used by the lcsidents in this district, and proves to be of fair quality. Its quality would no doubt be still further improved if better wheat were produced in the district. In the majority of cases a change of seed is much required, the nature of the wheat grown hcie having degenerated during the last tew years. I have been told that the natives propose going in extensively for fresh seed to sow this season, and I feel confident that the result of their enterprise will fully realise their anticipations, In former years some of the best crops of wheat ever grown in the colony were raised at Kawhia, and it is quite probable that^ we may see a return of this state of things if the contemplated action just spoken of is carried into effect.— Own. Correspondent.