NATIVE GRIEVANCES.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2577, 24 June 1881, Page 2

NATIVE GRIEVANCES.

SECOND EDITION ■.■■ in■! mm iiin i l ~in in'■niimi-iirrrrimiTiwmrrrTTrr-"

[Bt Telegraph.] New Plymouth June 24. Mr Parris visited the White Cliffs on Tuesday for the purpose of meeting Mokau natives, who were anxious to have the northern boundary lino of the confiscated land clearly defined, and returned last night. About thirty natives assembled, and Mr Parris commenced a discussion on Wednesday. Tamaroa, Mon Ire, and Wesley were the principal speakers. Mr Parris pointed out to them the northern boundary line of confiscated land, whereupon the natives stated they wanted the line removed back about a mile and a half or two miles. They argued the point at great length, but Mr Parris told them plainly that the boundary line was fixed by law, and be had little hope of its being altered. The natives showed more earnestness in striving for the land than appears to bo at all consistent with the value of it, as the land they want to obtain is a barren, precipitous country, worth little or nothing. The natives then brought forward another grievance. They stated they had not yet been paid for services rendered in launching the steamer Hannah Mokan when she stuck in the Mokau River. Mr Parris said ho could not promise them any redress as the Government was Lot concerned in it. The meeting was carried on in a friendly spirit, and Mr Parris promised to inform the Government of the nature of the complaints made by the natives.