THE KAIRANGA DISPUTE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 59, 19 March 1880, Page 2

THE KAIRANGA DISPUTE.

There is a native dispute on a small scale between the Government and the natives at Oroua bridge. The facts of the case are as follow : The G-ovornment, as our readers know, are at present draining a block of land cAlled Kuiranga, comprising 10, M OO acres, and which is to be sold on the deferred payment system- The land in question is occasionally flooded in winter by the backwater of the Oroua Stream, and in order to prevent this large drains are being dug. From tho lay of the country, it is impossible te drain the Kairauga block effectually without running a drain across a corner of a swamp owned by Hoani Meihana's people. Now this particular swamp happens to be one of their best eel fisheries In fact, so highly esteemed is it as an eel-fishery, that in " tbe brave days of old," frequent fights took plans between different tribes for the possession of it, one of th»» Wairarapa tribes having invaded the district time after time to try and secure it. Various streams have been made, in which the eel-weirs are placed, and the swamp is noted throughout tho distri :t for the abundance and large size of tho eels it contius. The natives therefore regard any interference wi'h it as likely to endanger their bust and most reliable source of food. Hence they object to the drain being cut through it. Not only, it will be seen, is the swamp a cherished heritage, but on a purely utilitarian ground it is a valued possession. For these reasons t c natives refused to allow the men employ d by Air Poole (contractor for the d.iainage) to start cutting the driin through the corner of the swairp. Mr Ward, R.M., has, however, succeeded in persuading them to allow the work to proceed, and has assured them that the Government have full power to cut drains tbrongh any propeity; that tbe work must be proceeded with ; and that they would have a claim for coinpenSHtion for any i jury done to them. Hut that any nbsf uotion i ffered would andanger their o'aims in the compensation court. Those counsels have prevailed, and tho natives have refrained from further obstruction. When we last heird of the work (Wednesday) Mr Poola had done abint 60 chains of the drain through the swamp, and as only 80 were to be made altogether, the whole, is probably by this time nearly finished.