LAND IN DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 July 1920, Page 5

LAND IN DISPUTE.

ECHO OF MAORI RISING. By Telejraph.—Press Association. Gishorne, Last Night. The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into a Native grievance in connection with the alleged confiscation of land in the Patutahi block has concluded its sitting. The claims are a sequel to the Hauhau raid in 1860, when a number of Natives joined the Hauhaus, with the result that the Government had to take action, with the assistance of loyal local Natives, to suppress Hauhauism. After the rising was suppressed the Government wanted the local Natives to give some of their land as compensation in return for assistance rendered, and in which friendly Natives, as far north as Tokomaru, and as far south as Napier, participted. After various meetings the Natives agreed to cede to the Government the land of the whole of the Natives, about fifty thousand acres, a portion to be used for military purposes, and the balance to go to the Native allies and loyalists. It was alleged that the latter part of the agreement had not been carried out. The fact was unknown tiU.1876, when the lanorw«s subdividedl for sale. After Various petitions to Parliament, a Royal Commission was. appointed. After a lengthy address by Captain Pitt at the inquiry, and evidence by Natives, some very old, Judge Jones announced that the proceedings were adjourned till the Commission reached Wellington.