NATIVE AFFAIRS AT UPOKONGARO.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5160, 5 October 1877, Page 2

NATIVE AFFAIRS AT UPOKONGARO.

(From the Wanganui Herald, 2nd inst.)

The TJpokongaro outbreak has all ended in smoke, and the temporary excitement caused by the rapid circulation of such exaggerated rumors in town has cooled down, but the settlers in the TJpokongaro District will retain an unpleasant recollection of the impression caused by the recent demonstration, and a wholesome dread of its re-occurrence. The material injury caused by Takorangi's proceedings is very trivial, but the effects of his threats will be felt for some time, a*, notwithstanding his expressions of amity and regret for having disturbed the peace of the settlers in the TJpokongaro District, he has ggiven uo substantial guarantee for future good behavior, and may see fit at any moment to lead his little army on another pegging-off excursion. The settlers in possession of the land lie claims have acted very wisely in interviewing him, and endeavoring to bring about the end for which the old chief is striving in as peaceable a manner as possible. Violence or any peremptory measures in ordering these natives off the laud on which they must have trespassed in the operations of Sunday last, would probably have led to hostilities, though it certainly appears difficult to understand why a party of natives should be allowed a license fur which European aggressors would have been severely punished. Takoraugi is determined in his intention of driving off some of Mr. Owen's cattle, and in doing so he will render himself liable, and will, it is to be hoped, bring abwut at his own expen-e in the Supreme Court the punishment which he richly merits. Harmless and innocent as his demonstration may have been, it was well calculated to frighten such of the settlers in the TJpokongaro District who were not acquainted with these " ancient Maori customs," which in the eyes of old Takoranyi alone are so simple and correct; and it is not s rprisiug that many should have considered it expedient to bring their families and goods into town. But now that the casus belli been ascertained, and the matter, which is merely one of the many similar disturbances that Takoraugi has promoted during the past few years, has been set at rest, there is absolutely no cause for further fear, and the families who left their homes may return to them in the full assurance that preparations have been made by the authorities to prevent any further trouble of the sort, to say nothing of Takorangi's penitence which is possibly not of the sincerest character. With regard to the reports which were current in town on Sunday, comment is needless. On any occasion of the sort highly-colored and greatly exaggerated rumors will gain ground, and people will persist in believing them. In this instauce the varied and sensational stories were as untrue as is usually the case ; and a great deal more uneasiness was felt in town than in the districts surrounding the scene of the aggression, where the facts of the matter were known, and the threats of Takorangi held in almost general contempt. The whole of the inhabitants of the pa at Kaiwhaiki cannot number more than twenty-five, say thirty at the utmost, including women and children, who are greatly in the majority. The weapons with which this force is armed consist chiefly of flaxsticks, and the tribe, with the exception of the chief, who is desirous of appearing heartily sorry for the trouble he has caused, look upon the. needless fright occasioned to the settlers as an excellent joke. With regard to the legality of Takorangi's claim to any of the land or' property of which he seeks to gain possession, the question will probably shortly be sifted in a Court of Law ; but it would seem highly improbable that his importunities would have been so unceremoniously treated by the Native Minister had he in any way the legal right of acting as he has done. Takorangfobstinately refuses to state the grounds on which he relies for the justification of his aggressiou and the provinj of his claims, and stites that the matter is in the hands of his advisers or

lawyers, in whom he has the fullest confidence To these gentlemen, whoever they may be, he intends to leave the task of taking the matter through the local R.M. Court ; but at the trial in Wellington he will appear in state to prove to the Parliament that he is a chief, and that failing to receive the assistance which he is entitled to have looked for at their hands, he is capable of acting for himself, and will establish the legality of his claim before a Court in which be seems to have an implicit faith. A substantial source of satisfaction to every inhabitant of Upokongaro District is that the neighboring tribes evince no sympathy with Takorangi, and are generally understood to have declined to support any of his proceedings, and to have condemned his recent act : on.. The matter may now be considered as in abeyance ; and as far as demonstrations or anything of that sort are concerned, is practically over. The next that will be heard in conuection with Takorangi's claim will be his summons before the Resident Magistrate's Court to answer for having broken into Mr. Owen's property, which he will have to do to drive off any of Mr. Owen's cattle, as Mr. Owen has declared his intention of having all his gates locked, and only submitting to the course adopted by Takorangi, as it were, under a protest.

The same journal, in reference to the reports circulated as to the action of the Kaiwhaiki natives in ordering Captoin Montgomery to " clear out and take his stock off the laud,"' says : —" Exaggerated rumors soon got abroad in town, causing no slight amount of excitement, the bounce of the natives being repeated and added to as genuine news to be relied upon. Although no personal violence was used, still there was an uneasy feeling about that some provocation would be given by either side as to lead to a scuffle. Anything more it could nut well be, as the pakehas that soon assembled at Upokongaro outnumbered, the natives. Still the peremptory ordering off of Captain Montgomery was in itself sufficient to cause some commotion, the predominant feeling being that of indignation that a respectable settler should have been so treated."