ROTORUA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2693, 15 October 1889, Page 2

ROTORUA.

Sale ok the Township.—The Government have at last t tken active steps to fulfill a long-standing promise : the purchase of tho Rotorua township. It is now a matter of history, and might bear to be briefly recapitulated to show the bungling of the Government, which is proverbial. How the place was first named Fentonville, in honour of the then chief judpo of the Native Laud Court. How afterwards for some reason, the name was changed (and wisely too) to Rotorua. Then the never-to-be-forgotten and attractively worded advertisement, which portrayed the district a veritable Paradise, and caused many hungry souls eager to possess a slice of it, however small. The first sale on lease for a term of 99 years, took place in 1882, at Auckland. The Crown Land Ollico was crowded with speculators and nearly every section was sold, and i:i many instances at four times over the upset pi ice. How delighted were the Government officials *at the great success that crowned their efforts, and how tho wily Maori chuckled, and said " Kapai tho pakeha," when told his annual income from the rents for tho township. The scone is in 1883, or about one year after tho salo. The Maoris demanded their rent over due, as by law such were to be paid half yearly and in advance ; but the Government had no money to give, as the lessees in most cases only paid one (half years' rent, which was swallowed up to defray expenses in advertising and so on. The Government, as agents, were then forced to take legal steps t» recover their rents, the cases were tried in tho Supreme Court, and judgment given in favour of tho defendants. A feeling of discontent soon became manifest with the Maoris, who clamoured for their lights, cither in money or land, and as the Government had orccted expensive b'lildiugs, costing in all about £30,000, to give the natives possession of the land again was out of the question, and tho only way out of the difficulty was to to purchaso tho freehold of the township, comprising about 3000 acres. When it became known that Mr Lewis, under Secretiry for Native Affairs, was on his way from Wellington, there was quite a flutter of excitement amongst the Maoris. Meetings to discuss what they should ask were held, and the modest sum of £40,000 was considered by them a fair price. Mr Lewis accompanied by Captain Mair, duly arrived on Thursday last, and on the following day met the lords of the soil, who by a majority, only were in favour of selling, and they stated their price. Mr Lewis, on behalf of tho Government offered £0,500. The meeting was adjourned till next day when a committee of twelvo was appointed to confer with Mr Lewis, and there the matter rests at present. (Monday). The natives are now willing to take £0000. No doubt the Government will become the purchaser, as through Mr Lewis who has already made a favourable impression on the Maori mind, a satisfactory price will be agreed upon. Mr Bush, R.M., and Mr Kolly, M.H.R., are also here assisting in the matter. When complete the land will be sold as freehold, which will prove more acceptable than leasehold. Business people are looking forward to mako a nice little haul, as it is such a long time since the Maoris have had a large sum of money that their wardrobe, etc., require replenishing, It is also fully understood that tho native owners of Whakarewarewa want to dispose of their property, and it is quite probable that Waiotapu and Tikitero may also be sold. Town Rkskuvh.—The Pukeroa reserve has been closed during the past month, a row of trees having been planted round it, and a fence erocted to protect them from horses. When tho reserve was re-opened a few days ago for horses to graze the poor animals seemed to enjoy the rich verdure after having had to subsist on the ti-tree and pumice for the past threo months. Major Jackson.—Tho sad news of the fate of Major Jackson was received here with feelings of sorrow by European and Maoris, to many of whom he was well and favourably known.