Ejection of Maoris.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 211, 8 December 1880, Page 2

Ejection of Maoris.

Napier, Dec. 7

A Supreme Court writ in the case of the Omaranui block, owned by Air. Sutton, but which, be has been deprived of by the Maoris for the last ten years, was served to-day by the Sheriff. An officer and a party of eight went to serve the writ, and on arrival at the pah it was found that all the men were absent, and from what subsequently transpired, it appeared that they had determined to leave only women and deerepid men, in the belief that the Europeans would not use force to eject them. The bailiff and his assistants waited all day trying to. find some of the men, but unsuccessfully, and at last, having failed in repeated efforts to get the women to leave peaceably, they were obliged to use force. The women declared that they would rather die than give up their land, and tennted the Europeans with sending a war party against defenceless women and children. A sudden fancy took them, and they began to strip, declaring that they would be removed, naked, and when at last they were .carried out, shuffling and screaming, the wore only chemises. Possession was them for-, maliy given to Mr. Sutton. Very soon the women seemed and asked Mr. Sutton to send them conveyances to carry them to Tareha’s pah, and this was done. Tareha was acquainted with the proceedings, and acknowledged that the orders of the Supreme Court must be obeyed. Three men were then .left in possession, the' remainder returning to town. All seemed satisfactorily settled, when two hours later a native policeman and eight Maoris, went and removed the : men in possession. They stated that Captain Preece,, the native agent, and Mr. Hamlin had informed them that the ejectment had been carried out by the oiders of Mr. Sutton, and not of the Supreme Court.' 'Though they would' yield to Court, they would not yield to Mr. Sutton. Tins agreed with the statements made by the women, to,the effect that Capt. Preece had fold them that the Native Minister had instructed him to inform them that Mr. Sutton was the author of the proceedings. If this be so, a great victory over Maori trespassers on European land has been lost. All assistance; was refused.to the sheriff, and he was left to act; pit his own responsibility,; which seems to bear out the assertions of the Maoris.