WELLINGTON, December 14.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2711, 15 December 1882, Page 3

WELLINGTON, December 14.

(JFBOM THE " PRESS."]

With reference to the two small Native disturbances at Kaipara and Hawke s iJay respectively I have the following additional information :-As to the Kaipara affair, the statement of Ross that the Sur-veyor-General was not making an inquiry into his conduct, and that he had resigned his appointment prior to the occurrence mentioned in the telegram, are not accurate, for so soon as the disturbance arising out of his action came under the notice of the Government, the Colonial Treasurer instructed the Surveyor-General to make a searching investigation into the affair, and the proceedings being instituted, Ross sent in his resignation. The Native Minister also telegraphed to the Surveyor-General, asking if ho was aware of Ross goings on and Mr McKerrow replied, explaining what had been done. Ross was not a regular member of the survey staff, but_ only employed as outsider for a special job at his earnest request. He had been formerly on the survey staff in the South, but his connection had been severed for some years. As to his legal proceedings against the Natives, they will end in smoke, tor the preliminary investigation has s f. own nothing felonious in regard to the Natives detention of the boat, and involving grave risk of serious complications with the Maori people. j

As to the East Coast affair I have received the following authoritative information on the'matter from the Government. It appears the affair occurred Monday last. The Natives concerned in outrage numbered about fifteen, and came from Waipawa pah shortly after daybreak, when the Takapau Natives, who had made an arrangement with Messrs W r ilding and Bull for the latter to cut timber in that bush, were fast asleep. The Takapau Natives were much incensed at the proceedings of the Waipawa intruders, and when it was known that the latter, w*> were armed with guns and tomahawks, had threatened to return, it was deemed certain that a serious conflict would ensue, and prompt information wa 3 sent to the Government. It turned out that the Waipawa and Porangahau Natives had objected to the right of cutting timber being granted to Messrs Wilding and Bull by Takapaus, and had claimed the land as their own. They held the meeting, and resolved on the course of action since taken. The Government at once warned them that they could not be permitted to take the law intf their own hands, whatever their rights might be, and that as it appeared the land in question had not been taken through the Native Land Court they were urged to tako the necessary steps for having the title legally determined, and, meanwhile, to let the matter stand over till its legal merits were ascertained, as the Government would be compelled to interfere forcibly if any more violence were resorted to. Ultimately it was arranged that Messrs Wilding and Bull be allow a week to remove the* logs already cut, and then neither party to go on the ground for six The case in the meanwhile is_ to come before the Court, and the whole difficulty will be settled there in the ordinary course of law. It seems Takapaus had b-3en in the occupation of the land for many years.