NATIVE INTELLIGENCE

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 209, 11 April 1877, Page 2

NATIVE INTELLIGENCE

T'ueke was a meeting at the Native Office at Hawera on Satin-day last, at which several natives spoke. Tuki, who was the leader of the natives who asked Mr Chimes’ survey party to give up their theodolite and tools (and which were handed over as soon as asked for), told the Civil Commissioner (Major Brown) that he had took them, and that lie would not allow the survey of any confiscated land that lie was interested in to proceed, as it was altogether wrong for Government to meddle with it. The Civil Commiasioncr told Tuki that there were many Europeans who agreed with him, and who also thought it wrong. Perhaps Tuki’s reason was the. same as theirs. Tuki asked what the reason was. Major Brown replied that many Europeans were of opinion that his work of having the land surveyed was premature, as they did not think that Colonel McDonald had fully completed his work [the lighting]. Major Brown presumed Tuki was also of the sam c

opinion. Tula earnestly disclaimed holding sueh an opinion, and gave up any further opposition. He had previously returned die tools which had been taken away, and the work of surveying re-commenced last Friday.

An adjourned meeting took place yesterday at the Court House. Carlyle, when the Mokoia and Maim!alii natives mot the Civil Commissioner and the Assessors (Tauraa and Hone Pihama. The Commissioner told the natives that the quest ion to be considered was the same that lie had seen them about on the former occasion. Ho (the Government) was going to take from them Hie balance of the confiscated land not yet occupied by their reserves or the settlers. The inland boundary was now cut, so that they could not plead ignorance of where it was. On remonstrances being made against the confiscation, Major Frown reminded them that formerly, when the Maoris thought they were strong enough to hold Tataramuika and other lands, the settlors were driven off by them. They (the Maoris) declared those lands taken and confiscated. The rule that they applied to the pakcha, Sir George Grey, who was then Governor of New Zealand, applied to them and their lauds. He declared the boundaries of the coniiscation. He (the Civil Commissioner) was carrying it out. The objectors not. being able to deny the Maori confiscation by right of conquest, had no argument to offer against the application of the same rule to tliein. Major Frown told the natives that what lie wanted to know was, how and by whom the compensation he was authorised to give them for their former claims in the land should lie ascertained. They eventually accepted the Civil Commissioner’s suggestion, that they should define the former boundaries of their claims, either as a tribe, or as families, and that these should be accepted as a basis for the division of the money. 'They concluded with asking for an instalment of the compensation, which will probably be paid to-day. The assessors, Hone I’ihama and Taurua, told the assembled Natives that the land was gone, and that they had better make the best of the terras offered to them by the Government. The Natives evidently concurred in seeing the question in the same light. There was some noisy talk, and some bickerings as to family rights and boundares, as between themselves, but not as affecting the question at issue. The result may be, therefore, looked upon as most satisfactory, and as another evidence of the efficacy of Major Frown’s manner of dealing with Native affairs.

RESIDENT MAGI ST R A TE’S C 0 U R T.