WANDERJNG CATTLE AT OTAKI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 90, 6 July 1880, Page 2

WANDERJNG CATTLE AT OTAKI.

;: - — i — ■— -♦- •' The action of the Otaki Highways Board regarding the summoning of owners of. wandering stock, appears to have raised a " hornet's nest " in that district. Whilst giving the Board full credit for .their evident desire to conserve the interests of the\_ ratepayers, by keeping the cost of maintenance as low as possible, it does appear to us that in this par- J\ ticular instance their zeal has outrun their discretion. The township of Otaki is peculiarly situated. It is a Pakeha-Maori settlement in the very heart of a Maori district, aud such being the case we think it is a pity the Board have determined on such severe measures. The extent of formed road under their jurisdiction is extremely small, and the damage done by wandering cattle is therefore trifling. Yet in attempting to save a few pounds per annum in maintenance, they have unluckily created ill-feeling in the minds of the natives, who boldly declare they intend to adopt severe retatiatory measures against the Europeans. This the Maoris are undoubtedly able to do by the erection of toll gates on the different lines of road leading through their lands. - This being the case, we would ask if the game is worth the candle, -.Is it.- worth while making a law that will pross hardly on the na- ' jives, when they can take such effec^tual measures to " pay out" the ' European settlers ? We think it is not, and iv this opinion we believe the majority of the settlers will concur. Oh this particular matter of wandering cattle, the town of Foxton is differently situated. In Foxton there is no reason why the Local Board byelaws should not be enforced, and the droves of horses and cattle which are incessantly wandering about the streets and roads are a disgraceto the place, but to punish every -native at&fcaki whose cow, or horse, or pig is found on the streets, will lead to • great .unpleasantness in the future. We Sdo not advocate one law for the Pakehas, and another for the Maoris. Both races should be treated alike by the law. Still, the .desirability of qnakiug a law which is certain to rouse the hostility of the natives, without obtaining any com- . in ensurate benefit, J is open to question. Subjoined we publish a letter on this subject from Hoani Taipua, translated by Mr Thos. Bevan, of Waikawa : — To. the, Editor of the M. IJeeald. 1. We are opposed, 'te the Europeans who are taking the rule of onf native district in Ot>ik : . Th^y have.no land in. Otaki^and are only renting from us natives. "We lire' in trouble through these Europeans who hfveoolaud. They -have b^gun (o drive our horses,. cows, sheep, and pigs, which are . running oh bur own land and roads. ' 2. We, the natives of Otaki, are very sad -■ at the proceedings of thOKe •_nrop*>anß. Now, we will not onfasent for -them to^muke « any more roads in, Otaki from this time. * 3. We are very 'sod with the tni-mbe'rs of .the Road Board They say they will not pay for our land that they take for the roads, and all thoir talk is not true. Now , we see in the newspaper tbat Johnston has. ben paid for. his land at Foxton. What is the reason Europeans can be paid for their lsnd, and we are not P If* -it because we are , natives? Ate not the EuropeauH ashamed of the lie* they have told usP If those . Europeans ooiuo to us again, we will uoj Ulsa tothaiu. Thsy will have to pay v