MAORI ROW AT MAKETU.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5417, 7 August 1878, Page 2

MAORI ROW AT MAKETU.

(PBIt PRESS AOKNOV.) Maketu, Tuesday,

Yesterday morning, on tho opening of the Lands Court, after two days’ adjournment to give the natives time to send iu their names for certificates for tho Paingaroa block, lately, passed through the Court and awarded to several hapus, the Tapuaku and Ngatipekiao hapus, headed by Te Pokiha, all’armed with spears and other weapons, took possession of the Court House, and placed an armed guard at the door to prevent other hapus from entering and giving the names for certificates. Iu the judgment given last week the Tapuakus were excluded, and Ngatipekiao awarded a portion, but they desired the whole block, hence their obstruction. On the Judge calling for the names for certificates a great disturbance occurred, the natives trying to intimidate the Judge by a display of weapons, but to no purpose. A Ngatipekiao launched his spear at a native policeman who was trying to restore order. The policeman happily avoided the weapon, otherwise serious consequences would have ensued. Last week a Ngatipekiao witness was assaulted while giving evidence. Pokiha said the native police should be dismissed for not doing their duty iu Court; — now -he sets them at defiance. A judi -ious reduction of salaried natives in this district would have a salutary effect. Three large blocks lately passed the Court, on which the Government have advanced money. Private individuals are hard at work, and will probably secure these blocks, owing to the natives’ double-dealing and the apparent apathy of the Government or their agents.