ROTORUA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3099, 26 May 1892, Page 3

ROTORUA.

« Visit of the Native Minister.—The visit of the Hon. Mr Cadman, Native Minister, which took place last week, is likely to have a beneficial effect upon the future of this neighbourhood; that is so far as the levying of tolls by the natives is concerned. These pleasant sources of revenue to the unsophisticated Maori have been increasing in number and in value under his careful supervision. Some few years ago toll gates were' almost unknown here, and in those halcyon days visitors could roam penniless about from place jto place; but not so in these enlightened times. The absence of the almighty dollar is as a twelve-foot fence.in preventing others than the chosen people from gazing upon the geysers and beholding the wonders of nature. The Native Minister, whilst recognising the right natives have to control their own properties and derive what revenue they can therefrom, faib however to concur with them in making exhorbitant charges as are likely to jeopardise the tourist traffic, which requites as careful cultivation and fustenne at the hands of the authorities as husbandry does with the successful farmer. During the several interviews natives had with Mr Cadman, application 3 were made to have tolls at Tarawera- Mountain, Ohau River, the landing places at Te Ngai, and the bush below Lake House, and these in addition to the ones already in existence, five in number. But before acceding to any request Mr Cadman asked to have the management and control of all tolls handed over to him in writing, and he would fix a scale in accordance with the merits of tho place; the proceeds, as at present, to go to the natives. But should tho natives decline to recognise the Government in this matter, Mr Cadman warned them that there would be such an outcry by tourists and others that Parliament would be forced to exercise its rights and make roads to all places of interest, and then there would be no tolls whatever. Subsequent events, when the natives will have had time to discuss the proposals made by the Native Minister, will show the fruits of the lion, gentleman's visit. The attitude taken by him on this occasion will have a salutary effect in givine the natives to understand that they canm.t longer remain the favoured few, pampered and like a spoiled child, but must take their share in the government of the country, and the following translation of a letter received in answer to a position sent to Queen Victoria will indicate still further that tho laws of the colony must be obeyed and that no assistance for real or imaginary wrongs need be looked fir from the Imperial Government:— Native Office, Wellington, February 10, 18D2.— To Wi Keepa Te Rangipuawhe and others. Friends,— Salutation to you. The Governor asked me to tell you, that he has received a letter from tho Secretary of the Colonies, in Engilund, re your petition to the Queen, praying fur a Maori Council to conduct their interests. The Homo Secretary said, that your petition had come before Her Majesty, and she was very pleased. But tho Imperial Parliament has no power to grant what they wished for, as the colony of New Zealand is under the New Zealand Government. Secondly, that the Maori race had four representatives in the Parliament for their welfare. Enough.—From your loving friend, Cadman, Minister of Native Affairs.

AcciDKNT. — Mr Webber, schoolmaster, met with a nasty accident whilst out shooting in the Oxford bush ran Saturday last. He had just fired at a bird when the gun exploded where held by the left hand shattering a portion of the hand very badly near the thumb. The mail coach coming along shortly after the accident, Mr Webber was driven to Dr. Cinder's house, where the wound was dressed. Grave fears were at first entertained that tho thumb would have to be taken off, but that is not now likely to be necessary; although Mr Webber will not be able to attend to the school for a few days at least. The accident should ba a warning to other sportsmen to look woll after their guus, as the one that caused tliß accident was new and had only been used a few times, besides being one of the cheap kind. Road Works. —A road to Kainsraroa Plains is now being formed by Mr Webb and staff who left for there last week. Mr George Kay, who has a contract for several miles of road between Tokaano and Ruapehu is pushing along very well with the work, and expects to be finished in about a month's time.