RAGLAN.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1636, 30 December 1882, Page 2

RAGLAN.

Opening of Kawhia,

It is astonishing with what composure the Maoris in .and around view the probability of tlfc ent£n<#mWth& territory of Europeans,' will*' ihe object of settling in tha.tj.cpunjiry^nd; openjng^ it up for further settlement purposes of commerce.'" Would it have been so, if the same" "likelihood had ' existed two or three years -agor?}j ftiwpuld be first to answer "No." To what can be ascribed such a result ? If I 'were ' asked to auswer this c-uestion, I shouldsay to the change' Which 'has>take'u<place, since that time, in regard to ,the manage- , ment of native affairs by the Government of this, colony. , In contrast to,l;he iner,tia , and undecided character,, of, , for pier, Ad-, ministrations we have now the energetic i % and consistent, policy of the existing one. j , The natives !«ave learned to respect thclf word of Mr Bryce, they- but played wi^h the injunctions and promises of the , majority of former Native Ministers. '. Wahanui and a great number 'of H his people are now anxiously waiting the arrival of the Native -Minister in Kawhia, | , and to all appearance mean to offer > him * '. a friendly reception; Wah'amii has 'been ', informed that lie intends, to, honour Jhem ,n, n with a visit. Several Maoris' of authority ' 'have apprised me of the t fact, , that some irregularity exists in" reference to the first purchase by Mr George Charlton ; of 1 the piece of land* which the < Government k now intend to, lay j off < for. a,tpw.nship. Such an incident is, however, of little consequence, for mostilikely.it has no foundation in reality. .

Harvest Prospects. ,,,., lt Some of the grain crops are looking well, and I lately Mr John Galvin cutting a splendid ,cvop of pats. As usual' the wheat crops' 'of' the Maoris , in and around Aotea" are' much' superior " %b those oflthe European^. (The, continued, 'drought has, however, had, the effeot >of spoiling any probability which existed of a plentiful root crop. The potatoes are, in a general way, exhibiting anything but a healthy , appearance, .\\{hi]e other > root crops 'appear little^b^tter. In this re&pect both rac^' are sxifferers. and the natives are iaftcfr '<^"ncmied/Wfir\Jityj. likelihood thafcbefore another Christmas j returns they/will be very scarce of food.y — (Own,Coi/espondent.) *■■ i