THE NATIVE ATTACK.

Manawatu Times, Volume III, Issue 71, 3 September 1879, Page 2

THE NATIVE ATTACK.

Referring to the If ative attack at Ohinemuri, Cashel, a resident m the district, says six weeks ago he, w»)K a; party;-; was surveying tbeiblock where the '■; outrage" yesterday i reported ; to6k place. This block has not passed the Court. His party "were surveying for the Ngatihakos, the supposed perpetrators of the present outrage, who had made an application to ,-. the Court. There . are yei 1^ fe^of the tribe, biit they are a , turbulent' lob. .Their stronghold :is at Te Wai, between the' Pia^o and \7aiho. They, fired over the heads_ of Mackey, Creagh,' Cashel, and others, once before, when Mackay was getting the Waiho west block ready for the Government The B urvey r on that occasion was stopped for a' short time, but was afterwards completed; Mr. Mackay arranghig the matter amicably. "' Another tribe cf Ngatihakos have taken advances pn the laud fyoni the Government, and Bayldoh's 'survey party are prepriring it for that tribe, who had also applied/ to ttieVCourt. The/ liad asked Cashel to sui^vey the block, but having already done part of it for other people he would not not undertake it, and hence Bayldoh and Cramp were emplojed. Tb e tribe is a Tecy small and: isolated one, but thpy claimed several pieces of land m the liist Court but grained nothing, and hence have been very discontented They are the same people that prevented snagging of the river. If the offenders ."desire 'to escape they would undoubtedly make across for Tarapipi settlement at Piako. Mr. Sheehan left for the Thames at 11 o'clock today, and will proceed 'direct to phe scene. " %t is probable that the attack on the sux^veyors will furnish' : Mr. Sheenan with a reason fbr'demanding utu, as the attack was committed on the Government land, and thepayment which will be exacted will be permission for roads and telegraph run through that part of the' district; ' If this can be completed the affair will prove a gj'entudvantnge m the long run. The' whole affair is h mere Dispute about boundary." It is believed that a, mistake has been made m connecting the Ngitikoi with, this attack, as they have always been ve"ry friendly, an<j assisted m opening the gold -field." The tribe has always been looked tipon 'as occupying an inferior position, but hasi rendered much valuable aid to the Governinen't. They are sellers of the block on \vhick the attack took

plac^, and are not likely .to £o tlje aggressors." The aggresspi's are eveu 9, morQ serf tribe than the Ngatikoi, and other tribes depress fheir contempt yf Kfgatihako fey calling them " eel catchers." They arij ponneeted distantly with Tukukino, .eount'enances them to some extent. They possess no influence whatever, and are very few m number. The Pukehangi blocjft the scene of the attack, is bounded on Jihe west by T7aiho river, on north by a line commencing near Okabukum, extending eastward aiong"bouadary of Tamatawhine block, on east by Ohihemuri goldfielcl block, oh ' south ■by native land. The block is estimated to contain 2,000 acres. Survey was being made on behalf or the Q-oyernment, who were, purchasei's, and for vwliom Mackay niade'.adyancea some years ago. After the aboyjß was m type, we received the foilovving autlioritutiye and later information ;— " The • Hon. Mr. ' Sheehan arrived ot Obin§mlari on Sunday- morning. The natives-assembled, and the well ; known obstmctiye chieE tukukino Requested the Native Minister to be allowed to send a party of his people with Mr; Ptickey:(Grdyernment Native Agent at the Thames) to the settlement 'occupied by. the people concerned m the late outrage,, and demand that those accused of participating m it shpuld)be ! to; the;law ; . The^ wbole afair is confined to $ small bagu known as the Ngatihako, numbering about twentyflve persons-^inerij wotflen>{ ;aud; children, ifr. Sheehan informed Tukukino thai; roads rail\ypy"sj , apd fglegr^p.b Jjnes ■ "would be made through his district at once, and be would have to discontinue the obstructive policy heretofore pursued by. him. The whole affair may^be considered as being settled." : Correspondent oi New Zeelandeß.