DISPUTED RIGHTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 36, 11 February 1905, Page 6

DISPUTED RIGHTS.

A TRAMWAY TORN IT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) PAEROA, this day. A rather soiious affair occiirred yesr terday at Awaiti, on the Waihou West , No. 4 block, where the Awaiti flaxmiil .is erected. Witika Taupo. one of the ■ owners, and other natives interested, , vrer.t there, it is stated, fco cjret Jacob . Burtleaon, the ovnior of the mill, on the . gTouad that he was in illegal occupa- . tion. Witika and bis party tore up the ? tramway line foi about a quarter of a mile. At this juncture the Burtleson party appeared on the and but for the opportune arrival of Sergeant Wheeiau, rhere would pi-ol»I>lj have been a serious fijrht, as some of the Burtleson fad ion. it is alleged, were armed with revolvers. Sergeant Wheelan, by exercise, of considerable tact, J appeased tho wrath of the opposing parties. The cause for Witika's action is £ that he and other natives have "been - negotiating for their interest in the 1 block on an amicable basis. Witika - understood that he was entitled to cut flax on the block, and he incurred con- ' sidersble expense in laying a tram line, 3 which he alleges was obstructed by the ' Burtleson party, and hence he considers that he has been very badly treated. The t block hr_s not lx>rn sub-divided, and r any private dealings in it would he illegal. Court proceedings are probable.