NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1923, 23 April 1880, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

[By Telegraph.] WELLINGTON, April 22. In reference to the telegram from Oeo, to the effect that a number of Natives are engaged in building a large whare on the seaward side of the line of reserves marked off by the Native Commissioners, I learn that the telegram received by the Government favours the idea that the act is of no political importance whatever, the now building being simply an addition to one already existing on uncultivated land. Whether the Natives concerned are acting in ignorance, or whether they intend the building of the whare as an assertion of their rights, and a protest against the action of the Government is not known. I have the very best grounds for believing that the latter will not allow it to interfere in the slightest degree with their plans, and that the road-making, the surveying of the reserves, and the other work on the plains will be proceeded with vigorously, without any reference to such demonstrations on the part of the Maoris, and the Natives will be given to understand that this is their intention. Bearing in mind, however, the expressions of satisfaction with which the result of the work of the Native Commission was received by the Natives, the balance of probability is strongly in favour of the view that the whare building is not intended as a protest or political demonstration of any kind. It is very uncertain whether the Native Commission will go to Dunedin or Hokitika to examine such of the Native prisoners as choose to give evidence, or whether, in fact, they will take any more oral testimony. The matter has not yet been definitely decided, but the probabilities, I believe, are that the rest of the labours of the Commission will bo confined pretty much to the examination of documentary evidence and the compilation of their final report. Sir Dillon Bell left for Taranaki in the Hinemoa last night, to make some special arrangements regarding the boundary lines of the reserves and other matters connected with the work of the Commission. Sir William Fox is in Wellington at the present time, engaged in the investigation of a number of documents necessary to enable the Commissioners to complete their report. In reference to the complaints of the very slow rate of progress being made lately with the road-making on the Waimate Plains, owing to the fact that the men engaged on the work are going to a great deal of apparently unnecessary trouble in clearing about a chain of land on each side of the road line, I am assured that this is not at all in accordance with the wishes of the Government, who are of opinion that this additional work is not necessary, and have given orders for the work to be pushed on with the greatest energy at once. This is one of the matters which Mr Bryce, the Native Minister, has gone to New Plymouth to enquire about, and the work will be materially accelerated at once. I understand that the Hon. the Native Minister will probably visit Auckland after settling various matters at New Plymouth in connection with Native affairs.