NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1881, 4 March 1880, Page 1

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Telegraph.] [from oub own cobbespondhnt.] WELLINGTON, March 3, The Hon. Mr Bryce, Native Minister, left Wellington this morning for Napier. The special object of his visit is to arrange matters, if possible, respecting the block of land regarding which there has been such a long standing dispute between Mr Sutton, M.H.R., and the Natives, and it is to be hoped that a satisfactory solution of the difficulty may be found practicable on this occasion.

Mr Bryce proceeds from Napier to the Waimate Plains to direct further measures in that neighbourhood. One of these is the formation of a cross road through the plains from Stratford westward to Opunake. Xhie will be valuable, both for purposes of settlement and as a strategic measure, there being direct railway communication between Stratford and New Plymouth. The road from the north end ot the Waimate Plains, nemr Stony River, was commenced to-day. It will be seen, therefore, that when the cross road from Stratford is started, road making on the plains will be proceeding from three different directions, north, south, and east. Including the constabulary and the road men, the Government have nearly 1000 men either on the plains or in the vicinity. The Government have been compelled to resort to strong measures in regard to the Murimotu difficulty. It will be remembered that the Native Minister sent an ultimatum to Major Kemp, whose turbulent and lawless conduct had caused the difficulty, giving him a certain limited time in which to amend his conduct and tender his submission, under the penalty of dismissal from the offices of Native Assessor at £IOO per annum, and Land Purchase Agent at £3OO (which he held under the Government), and the deprivation of all Other emoluments. Every possible influence was also brought to bear on him through his relatives and the chiefs of his tribe, who all concurred in condemning his behaviour. Kemp, however, proved to be beyond the reach of any influence or reason, and the Government therefore has been compelled to-day to recommend His Excellency the Governor that he should be dismissed from all his appointments. His Excellency is understood to have approved of the recommendation.