THE KING COUNTRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1030, 20 December 1883, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY.

[by telegraph.] Auckland, To-day. MrPeicy Smith, chief surveyor, met the natives yesterday in front of Kewi’s house at Kihikihi, to explain matters relating to the survey of the King country. Bewi opened the meeting by saying he had agreed with the Government that a triangulation survey should be carried out. He had given that into Mr Bryce’s hands.. That will be paid for by the Government. Mr Smith : I have already ordered a triangulation survey, which wili probably be commenced next week, and also other surveys. A boundary survey from Pirongiu to Ruapehu is done, but that from Ruaoehu to Whiteoliffs has yet to be surveyed, as also the one from Pirongiu to Kawhia. Ido not think it can be completed in twelve months. After discussing the matter with the Ngatimaniopotos the meeting closed with the expressed wish that the survey should go on at once at the price stated, L 1,600, which will be done. Mr Cussen stated that if not interfered with and with fair weather the triangulation survey would be done in 18 mouths. Hanaurli and other natives will meet Tawhiao and Major Te Wheoro at Whatiwhatihoe, and a public meeting to-day. Despite the opposition offered by a section of the Ngatihauas yesterday a triangulation survey of the King country will be gone on with. The opposition of the Ngatihauas is evidently fostered by the surveyors and’ other interested parties, and it is hardly likely that the good advice given by the Native Minister will be attended to. The triangulation survey is of course the first step to be taken, and then the application of the chiefs to have the King country surveyed in one block can be proceeded with. This work of itself will be a vast undertaking. It contains 3,700,000 acres, and at, say, threehalfpence per acre, a fair price, it would cost something like L 22,000. Then will follow surveys of the tribal territories and afterwards those of individuals. As Mr Bryce explained to the objecting parties yesterday, neither the first survey nor yet that of inter-tribal divisions could possibly prejudice the claims of individual owners.