THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY AT UPPER WAITAKI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 809, 15 November 1878, Page 2

THE NATIVE DIFFICULTY AT UPPER WAITAKI.

On Wednesday night the Native Minister left by train for Ihmtroon, and from there proceeded to the residence of the Hon. 11. Campbell at Otekaike. From thence he proceeded yesterday morningat three o'clock, accompanied by the Hon. 1!. Campbell and Mr. Taiaroa, M.H.R., and at about eleven o'clock arrived at the settlement of Horomona and his party, numbering about 100. The whole population, neatly dressed in native mats and carrying large greenstone meres, turned out to receive the Ministerial party. Mr. Siieehan thanked them for their welcome, and informed thorn that as be wished to get av, ay as soon as possible, hewould be glad if they would go to business at once. Tile party then adjourned to the meeting-house, and a discussion between Mr. Siieehan on the one side and the natives on the side, lasting over an hour, thou ensued.. The natives then urc-ed a number of pleas in justification of their occupation o; the land upon which they are now living -. but the Native Minister decline,! to entertain or discuss the matter, and informed them tha'. bis only object in meeting them was to tell them that they would have to remove back to their reserves on the coast, and that lie would allow them until ihc.Sist ■A December to do .so. I!e would return immediately after that date to see if they had carried out his wishes. lie declined to make any promises, or to hold out any inducement-; whatsoever, but insisted that they should comply with the lsw. At firs.-; the natives were very fixed in their determination not to leave ; but after quietly miking tin; matter over with the Native Minister, a better feeling was established, and it is now probable that the party will leave of their own accord before the time fixed by Mr. Siieehan. The only real difficulty which now exists is with regard to the crops just planted by them. As to that, Mr. Siieehan said that while he insisted upon ■■he people as a body -.-..turning to the coast.

lie would have no objection to two or three of the party remaining to take care of the •■rops until they arriv d at maturity. One or two of ike partv who were at hrst disoosed to talk verv'londh- were effectually silenced by a statement from the Kative !iui.>tcr that if siic'i language were again indulged in lie would at once return to : >amaru and make the necessary police irra.ngenients. for their trans;lorlatiun to the coast forthwith, 'i'he mcelimr termiuated .-• >y amicably, and the Ministerial jiarty •ft the sei ficment amidst loud cries of a And usually made, use of by natives when 'Xpressioo regret for deoarti'.ig guests. There is now no doubt that this native dilii■idty in tic Ne-i.th Island, is at an end.