GRIEVANCE SETTLED.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 4, 1 May 1855, Page 11

GRIEVANCE SETTLED.

(From the New Zealander, February 28.) A Native difficulty which has for some time past, existed between the Ngatiwhatua and the Manukau tribes was, we rejoice to say, happily and amicably settled in the course of yesterday afternoon. The difficulty to which we allude, arose in this way: Some time since, the Ngathvhatua inadvertently sold a portion of their land, situ, ated in the neighbourhood of St. John's College to the Government. This land was the undisputed property of the Ngatiwhatua, but at the same time, and unfortunately, two near relatives of Te Whero-Whero, who had been residing amongst the Ngatiwhatua, died, and were interred upon this land, which, according to the ancient native custom, had been thereby rendered tapued, or sacred. Upon the explanation, and at the desire of Te Whero-Whero, a portion of the land was set aside by the Government to lie dormant as it were, and, for a time to be withheld from being let or sold. An old grudge had existed between these tribes, and each having talebearers among them, as well as their European brethren, old sores and this land question got so fretfully worked together that the Manukau tribes sent intimation to the Government of their intention to dig a trench around that part of the land ceded to Te Whero-Whero; and to do this quickly, 200 men were assembled at Man gar ei. These men being all fully armed, the digging of a trench was a mere subterfuge. Intimation of their assembly at Mangarei having been conveyed to His Excellency the Governor, Mr John White, Interpreter to the Land Purchase Department, was despatched with instructions from His Excellency to desire them to leave their arms behind, and to come and dig the trench in an orderly and peaceful manner. Wetere, Epiha, Ihaka, and Pepene, the leaders of this assemblage, received tlie message of bis Excellency in the most respectful manner, Thaka and Wetere, both making answer to the following effect:— "We will do as the Governor desires. We are the children of the Queen, —(moaning that

ttioy owe obedience to English laws)-—so, we will do as the Governor orders. We and the Europeans are one. We will leave our guDs behind The word of the Governor is good. Had he desired that we should leave our spears and hatchets also, we would have dune it. The word is good, we will obey." -The Chiefs and their followers, accordingly proceeded to the ground in a quiet and peaceable manner in the course of yesterday. There they were met by Major Nugent, Native Secretary. j and Mr. White, of the Native Jvand Purchase department j and were speedily joined by the Ngatiwhatua tribe, when mutual explanations were given, and a complete reconciliation took place between both tribes.