MR. SHEEHAN’S VISIT TO OHINEMURI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5318, 12 April 1878, Page 3

MR. SHEEHAN’S VISIT TO OHINEMURI.

' The Thames Advertiser has an account of the visit of the Native Minister to the Upper Thames, of which we make the following abridgement:— 1 : _ • On arriving at the Komata, the Kiriweras were assembled within the cultivation, where Mr. Alley had put his sheep some time ago; The patty were welcomed by the women of the settlement giving the usual “ haeremai." Both visitors and Maoris then entered a large whare, and after about half-an-hour s silence Tukukino got up aud bade all welcome, at the same time Saying that Te Hira had left the district, Te Moananui had died, and there were no chiefs left to receive the party as they ought to be received. , After several speeches, , j The Hon. Mr. Sheehan said ; When I last visited the district I sent to you requesting you to meet me at Paeroa, as I understood ■ you were anxious to see me. You sent me word that you did not dare to come there to state your grievances before Europeans and other natives, but requested me to visit yoh here. I could not do so then, as , I had other engagements. Although I have been a Minister of the Crown for but a. short time; yet I am aware of your objection towards this road going through your land, and also'of some wrongs yon are suffering under. I have come overland to-day to see with, my, own eyes it another road is necessary. I also wish to hear from your own lips the reason you throw obstacles in the way of road- , making. I may say that,, as the responsible Minister to Parliament, I represent the. Governor and the Queen in native matters, and I ; am here-to-day in that capacity. I have heard your conversation with Mr., Brodio regarding the men who have been making the road surreptitiously. Ido not take Mr. Brodie’s side, neither do I take your side. I am here in the capacity of judge, and will support what is right, and will uphold the

tla\y;:irc'th'e'lfiiv!'of:Qween , 'Victoriarr says the Native Minister can make roads through-Maori lands, but- I -would-only -exer--cise that power after 'consultation with, you as to the direction of the road,’in orde'Hthat I may meet your ..wishes as . far as 1 can.. Mf the road goes through your cultivations I will have it securely fenced on both sides,!so<as; to , prevent cattle from ■ destroying your crops;: I would also compensate you for. the land taken for the road. *

Tokdkino ; Ido not want the road. There is, the river, which is the road God has given you. ' i . .. The Hon. Mf. "Sheehan : I must 'have tho rqad ; and if moral suasion fails, I will take what tlie law allows me. If injury is done, or blood •is shed, the. parties doing it' will, be amenable to tlie law. It would be better’ to consent graciously, because as certain as’,we are here the road will be made. I only ask you to do this, because it is for your, benefit as well as the pakehas’, and will considerably enhance the value of your lands.

Tukdkino said ; I do not want the road.The Hon. Mr. Sheehan : That is no reason. I must have a reason. . , Tini Poaka said : Tukukino’s reason ' for obstructing the road is, that an injury has been none to him. His lauds have been passed through the Native Lauds Court without his consent, and given to men who have no interest in them whatever. Those natives have sold them to a pakeha named Young,, aud although Tiikukino applied for a rehearing of the case, so that it might be again adjudicatedupon, no rehearing was granted, and I now produce for your information copies of)the applications made. ' The Hou. Mr. Sheehan : This matter ,has been enquired into by Sir Donald Dr Pollen, a nd Mr Whitaker, who were of opinion that a wrong had been inflicted on you. I desire to'do you, justice, 1 and as the time for a rehearing has lapsed, the only way Government can give yon redress is to appoint a commission to elicit information and report to.the Parliament next session, and thus have justice done to you. If necessary, Tukukino could, ou application, have a Court to subdivide the land, by which means any wrong he had suffered could be inade right. - Tukukingo said that he would not attend any more Courts. He was .going to the meeting at Hikurangi, and he thought it would be as well to defer the further consideration of the opening of the road until he met Mr. Sheehan there with Sir George Grey. The Hon. Mr, Sheehan : I agree to your suggestion, and should an opportunity not occur to discuss the matter at Hikurangi, I shall return to Komata and settle with'you here before I proceed to Wellington, for as the summer season is drawing to a close, the matter must be settled at once.