WAIAPU.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 10, 7 December 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

WAIAPU.

As our readers are aware, the Hon. the Native Minister has returned from Waiapu after successfully settling the difficulty which had arisen at that place. Its origin was a dispute about the ownership of a piece of land which had for a long time been conjointly held by two hapus ; in the course of the quarrel a good deal of damage was done on either side to pigs, etc., and eventually one man was shot while he was killing a pig belonging to the other side. Both parties were now thoroughly roused, and it required all the energy and zeal which could be displayed by the leading chiefs of Ngatiporou to prevent any further effusion of blood. Mr. Campbell, R.M., and the chiefs exerted themselves vigorously, and succeeded in bringing about a suspension of hostilities, and a reference to Mr. M‘Lean, who arrived at Awanui on the 28th after picking up various chiefs along the coast. On the 29th the meeting was held, the leading chiefs among Ngatiporou, viz.—Iharaira, Tamanui te Ra, Te Mokena, Ropata, Henare Potae, Hotene, Te Whikiriwhi, and Mohi Turei being present. Mr. M‘Lean was welcomed by the opposing chiefs—Paora te Haenga and Wiremu Keiha, the latter of whom acknowledged his transgression of the law. Mr. M‘Lean said that he felt very grieved at the disturbance—their anxiety to have laws extended towards them was a delusion, as he now saw relations in arms against each other, and using weapons which had been given to them for protection against their enemies. These must be given up. The matter must be investigated and settled to-day. Major Ropata proposed that a boundary should be placed between the disputants, and at a future time they would forget their quarrel. Henare Potae said the chiefs of Ngatiporou had already tried to settle the affair, and his opinion was, that Mr. M‘Lean should take the matter entirely into his own hands. The two disputants were then brought face to face in the presence of Mr. M‘Lean and Wiremu Keiha stated he had not quite made up his mind how to act. Paora Haenga proposed that the two parties should conjointly occupy the piece of land in dispute, as heretofore, and that Wiremu Keiha should compensate him for the man that who was shot and for the damage done. This latter Wiremu Keiha refused to do, giving as his reasons that Paora had been the aggressor. Had he (Wiremu Keiha) been the first to take up arms, there would be justice in the claim, but it was Paora who began the disturbance and threatened to shoot him. For two years he had endured this, and at last in self-

defence had taken up arms and fired. These reasons were considered by the chiefs of Ngatiporou as being according to all Native usages and customs, sufficient to justify him in his refusal to give compensation. Paora then replied that it was his wish that they should live in peace and jointly occupy the land on which they had a mutual claim, and Wiremu Keiha assenting to this proposal, it was decided by Mr. M‘Lean that this arrangement should be the one carried out. Another question also arose at this meeting which has for years cropped up and given rise to unpleasant feelings—the Poverty Bay lands, so far as regards the Patutahi Block. From some cause or another promises made about this remained unfulfilled, and Mr. M'Lean had previously, finding matters thus, decided that the block should be divided into three parts—one for the Government, one for Ngatiporou, one for Ngatikuhungunu ; still there was dissatisfaction, but on this occasion Ngatiporou while asking for the land, expressed their intention of leasing it and devoting the proceeds to schools. Mr. M‘Lean told them they should have 10,000 acres, and that Government would rent it from them, and with this they expressed themselves satisfied. The whole proceeding appears to be a matter of satisfaction—for the least quarrel between tribes, if not nipped in the bud, may draw other parties into the fight, lead to great mischief and loss of life, and, besides, do an infinity of damage to the prosperity of the colony.