THE NATIVE DISPUTE AT HIKUTAIA.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1827, 30 December 1879, Page 3

THE NATIVE DISPUTE AT HIKUTAIA.

The Thames' correspondent of the " Now Zealand Herald" writes : —During the past week Mr KenricV, R.M., accompanied by Mr Sub-Inspector Kenny, and Mr F. Puckey, interpreter, visited Hikutaia for the purpose of endeavoring to amicably settle the dispute between the Hikutaia Natives and Mr Alley re the Kakaramea block of land. On reaching Mr Alley's station a message was sent to the Natives, informing them of Mr Kenrick's arrival, and requesting their attendance. To this they replied that the magistrate must go to them. A second message was then sent, telling them if they did not appear In half-an-hour, the dispute would have to be settled

in the Court at Grahamstown, The Natives then, headed by Tamati Patea, their chief, assembled at Mr Alley's farm. They were accompanied by Tukukino and a number of the Ngatikoo Natives. Mr Kenrick at once informed them of the nature of his visit, and stated that, failing an amicable arrangement being come to, he would have to compel both parties to give substantial security that the quarrel would, in the future, be confined to the courts, and the peace preserved. A long discussion on the matters in dispute then took place, lasting over three hours. Finally, the following arrangement was agreed to :—" For the next three months Mr Alley to prosecute his survey, clearing, fencing, and building, without interference from the Natives ; during the tamo period the Natives to be allowed to occupy their present cultivations, and to run their cattle, as heretofore, on Mr Alley's land, he consenting."—Mr Kenrick undertook that a definite and final offer should be made by the'Government to the Natives, within that period, of the amount the Government were prepared to pay, the amount already offered by the Government (£200) having been refused by the Natives ; that, in the event of the Natives refusing the amount finally offered, Mr Alley should eject them from

the land by the ordinary legal process. The Natives were given clearly to understand that the land was legally Mr Alley's, he having a Crown grant for it, and that any claim they might have was a purely equitable one against the Government for alleged wrongs suffered by them when the land passed through the Court, and that in pressing this claim they would have to respect Mr Alley's rights." On concluding this agreement Mr Alley and Tamati Pnetae, at the request of Mr Kenriek, shook hands to show that all paßt quarrels would be forgotten. It is sincerely to be hosed that this dispute is

really settled. Both parties have shown a considerable degree of warmth over the matter lately, and the wonder is that nothing serious has occurred. The Natives have shown much more forbearance than is usual with them, or affairs might have taken a most serious turn. That they are in the wrong is quite evident, for the land has been Crown granted several years now, and they have no title to it whatever. Mr Alley is naturally incensed at being prevented from cultivating it, and is also greatly annoyed at the puerile attempts of the Government to settle the dispute. Mr Kenrick is deserving of commendation for the common-eense view he has taken of the whole matter.—Thames Correspondent.