CORRESPONDENCE.

Marlborough Press, Volume I, Issue 44, 3 November 1860, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Press. Sir— ln your issue of the 20th October, 1860, I read a letter, published by His Honour the Superintendent, for general information. As the said letter gives the native version only of the affair, would you oblige me by giving this publicity also ? I, Robert Blaymires, deny having stated, either to natives or Europeans, that I had “purchased” the land atllua Kakaßay. I told the natives that I had rented the land from Government for fourteen years, and that I wished to erect a new yard, as the one there was rotten. When Mr. M'Lcan purchased the land, the natives had some cattle, goats, and pigs on it.; and it was understood they need not repmvc until required by Government

The cattle having strayed on to my freehold land at Kenepuru (a hay adjoining), the natives asked me if I would buy the cattle, as they were afraid of losing them. I told them that the cattle would always return to where they were bi’ed, at Rua Kaka. They replied that they had sold Rua Kaka to the Queen, but had permission for the cattle to run on it, and I could let them On looking at the plan, I saw that it was a Government Reserve, and I bought all the cattle from the natives. As the cattle are increasing fast, I applied for a run in that neighbourhood: the application was published 12th of May, 1860. At the expiration of three months, I got a person to inquire at the Land Office whether there was any objection offered, and was told there was not. Wanting to brand the cattle I went to Rua Kaka to arrange with the natives to assist me. When I got there, I found the place deserted; no one stopping there; and was informed that the natives who lived there last were going to live on the native reserves : they have 2,000 acres adjoining. I inquired of the Commissioner of Crown Lands, also of the Chief Surveyor, respecting the run, and was told that there was no objection to my application and the decisions would be published shortly. I then agreed with some Europeans to get fencing ready for a stockyard; and as there is only a quarter of an acre of level land at Rua Kaka, I told them to erect the yard on it. In the middle of September, the natives came to me at Picton, and said they wanted payment for the grass at Rua Kaka. I said I had already paid the Commissioner for it. They then demanded payment for the fence. I told them it was rotten. They said if I did not pay them they would burn it. I replied that they might do as they pleased ; that it was the property of the Government, and I would not pay natives for anything on Crown Land. They pulled down the fence and some old houses, and burnt as much grass as they could with it, carefully avoiding the docks; telling me I might keep them for seed. Like the dog in the manger, not relishing the grass themselves, they were determined my cows should not eat it. And now, I wish to point out what Mr. Mackay appears to have overlooked, that I am the nearest resident freeholder, and the only stockowner, within five miles of the spot; that the cattle were there previous to the native title being extinguished. Consequently, I have a right to the use of the Crown land, “independently of the run,” until I am ordered to quit by Government. Mr. Editor, perhaps you can inform me whether the natives or the Provincial Government are the proper parties to dispose of Crown lands ? I have already applied to the latter; should I have done wrong, I will apply to King Potatau next. In my humble opinion the natives attend to business whether our Government neglect theirs or not. I am, &c., Robert Blaymires, Freeholder and Stockowner, Kenepuru Bay, Picton District. October 28th, 1860.