ENQUIRY INTO THE PILOT STATION DIFFICULTY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 49, 18 February 1881, Page 2

ENQUIRY INTO THE PILOT STATION DIFFICULTY.

Mr Ward, R.M., held au enquiry at the Foxton Courthouse on Tuesday last into the alleged grievances of the natives who claim the land upon which the Manawatu pilot station is erected. By the courtesy of Mr Ward, a representative of this journal was allowed to be present. About 20 of the natives attended. In opening the proceedings, Jlr Ward told the natives he came to the matter, not as a Magistrate to sit in judgment on what they had done or what chey intended to do, but to settle the matter in dispute as far as possible as a friend. The natives appointed Weretah Kimate as their spokesman, but before he addressed Mr Ward, the latter asked a number of questions, from which we gathered that the land in question has not been passed through the Lmkls Court because, being an ancestral possession, the natives did not desire to have it adjudicated upon. They had no other reason. It was not included in the Awahou Block. No other natives claimed it. The lease entered into with the Government in 1555 is iv possession of the Government. The natives have a copy of it. He declined to give Mr Ward a copy of the lease, and suggested it should be obtained from the Government. They had given the pilot notice to quit by February 25. Ttie wish of the natives was that the land be returned ! to them, and the money for the lease paid to ( them. [This statement evokedexpressions of dissent from tho natives.] He then asked if the lease were produced would Mr \A 'ard be able to settle the matter. Mr W.».rd said no, but that he would have surer information upon which to work. Weretah continued by sayiug that the natives demand t'7so, being £50 per annum for 15 years' occupation. The liapu have asked for payment on three occasions, but have received no reply. He was quite certain this land was no. included in the Awahou purchase. The natives hoped to press the Government to pay the £750 and return the land, the lease having expired. They wished to go accordiug to law, and had given a fortnight's notice. Mr Ward explained that any steps to retake possession could only be taken according to law, and he should regret their taking any action to resume possession that would render them punishable by law. Weretah replied they were taking steps according to law, but the Government were acting according to Maori custom, or in other words lawlessly. The natives then retired to confer amongst themselves. Upon their return to fche Court, Mr Ward addressed the natives. He said they must come back from their position. What was right he would endeavour to do. They must not interfere with the pilot station. Their rights would be recognised, but no good could come of their taking the law into their own hands. Even if he had a Cro.vn Granfc iv his baud, and a man wasiu possession of it, he must take a legal process to get him oufc. He would warn them not Itodo an illegal thing. If they broke the law, they might be punished for it. They might oppose the Government, but must nofc oppose tho law. . He had just seen a map Bhowiog fchat Te Wharangi, the site of the pilot station was included in tho Awahou purchase. Woretah said the m .p was a false one.

Mr Ward said he would enquire into that. If they removed the pilot or signalstaff they would be ameuable to the law. lie had now cautioned them. If they persisted, thjy muifc blam. them.elvej for res ilts. The pilot is in po.se-sion, and even if the M.oris claim the land, they could nob eje-t him. The pilot will not leave the sfcatiou, ani if fch-jy remove him, ifc will be at their peril. The fact of having a lease would nob give them po.v.r to ejje. the pilot. They must go to fch. Court, and thafc would eject the pilot, if he was illegally there. Weretah said that some years ago Sir Donald M Lean acknowledged their right to the laud, aud said that when the Rtagicikei question was settled he would settle this. Meantime he died. He would go to ijaol ia order to ventilate the matter. Mr Ward said this would not help them. They should get legal advice. Weretah said that a lawyer would advise him to go on this course. The Government would do as he was doing under the samo circumstances.

Mr Ward said the Government must have some reason for refusing to recognise their claim. He wished to find out what was the reason. He did not choose to be confined to 14 days to look into it, but must have a longe" time. Weretah said the Government put them off because they knew they would have to pay a large amount to the natives. The pro.cc. lings then terminated. [Since the above was written we have been assured by Mr Cirkoek that Te Wharangi was most certainly included in the Awahou purchase.]