The Patea Mail (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 308, 30 March 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays.) SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1878.

One of the Auckland Herald correspondents lately reported that certain licensed surveyors and native interpreters undertook the secret survey by moonlight of a block of native-owned land in theneighbourhood of the Horohoro Mountain, for would-be private purchasers, although permission to survey had been refusc-'iby • Government • and * it " was known that the natives also strongly' ohjeoled to any survey being made. It ■ IcziO’vVTi cliat . Government ,wei-e* in treaty for fhe block and 'had paid n-on-er rn is. The Tahonrangi tribe having got:wind dx f ithe intended; secret r i survey, sent cut an armed party of i natives, captured the survey party and 1

their instruments, and placed them prisoners at Parekaranga. The Herald understands that Captain Mair, telegraphed to the Native Minister at Auckland,who at once replied, forbidding any such action on the, part of surveyors, as he was determined that'no surveys should take place without the consent of both sides, and says—“ Mr Sheehan also stated, for the information of the natives, that while he felt aggrieved that an armed party should have been sent to capture the surveyors, thereby placing the dapfors in an awkward position, as putting themselves outside the pale of the law, which they had no right to take into their own hands, he had, in consequence of the unwarranted action of the survey party, given instructions for the'suspension of the licenses of the surveyors and native interpreters engaged in the work, pending further inquiry. No disturbance or complication need be expected to arise out of this affair, as the natives concerned have amicably referred the whole matter to the decision of the Native Minister. It is, however, greatly to be ..regretted that a few people, for the sake of private speculation, should, by encouraging such mistaken action, peril the peace of the country, and .interfere with the efforts of Governrhent to obtain land which is well fitted for being settled by a numerous population.” As a disposition has been shown in this district, by certain parties, to ignore the authority of Governmentin regard to native lands, and thereby help to complicate negotiations now in hand, it will perhaps be useful for all interested to note the action of the Native Minister in regard to the meddlers at Horohoro. It would seem that he intends to abide by the statements and promises made at the time of his visit to this coast. Unlawful; transactions by natives or Europeans, will ; not bo ; tolerated, and the lawbreakers will have to 'suffer the consequences of illegal acts.