NATIVE MATTERS.—THE SETTLEMENT OF KAWHIA OPPOSED.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3803, 22 September 1883, Page 3

NATIVE MATTERS.—THE SETTLEMENT OF KAWHIA OPPOSED.

Auckland, This day

A telegram to the Star states that the Kawhia harbour beacons were pulled down and broken by the chiefs Tv Te Ao and Tihirahi, of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe. The property and lives of the European residents were threatened if they do not obey the mandate of the Han Hau chiefs and leave Kawhia within a few days. The Maoris have given them notice to this effect. The Ngatimahutu openly declare their intention of opposing the settlement at Kawhia, the land being- theirs. Ng-aku, the King's adviser, is supposed to have a finger in the matter. The women and children of the tribe arc being- removed from the settlement on the west side of tho harbor. Tawlviao is at Tarea carefully watching the proceedings. A native disturbance has broken out at "Waatit. Piripiri Wliatuaio, tho head of the Ngatingaroiigo tribe, against whom a decision was recently given in tho Native Land Court in the "Waatu case, having , failed to obtain a rehearing of tho case, has gone on to the block with his followers, with the object of ousting Harry Simmonds and his people, who are' at present in possession. They commenced by digging trenches across Simmonds' private roads through the block, and felling trees across the road through the bush, thus bringing timber-cutting operations to a standstill. Simmonds being a very intelligent, lawabiding native, though his followers far out number the aggressors, has resorted to the civil law for the settlement of the question. Gisborne, This day. Poverty Bay is very lively at present, a large number of natives being in G-isbornc attending the Native Lands Court, which has been sitting for the last month. It will very likely not terminate before the end of October. Tho Court is doing excellent work, defining native and European titles which have been hung up for a number of years. The ascertainment of dormant titles has already given an impetus to settlement in the district, and is enhancing the value of all properties.