ROPATA AND HIS PENSION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1193, 19 June 1884, Page 1

ROPATA AND HIS PENSION.

Papers were 1 aid on the table of the House on Tuesday afternoon relating lo reduction of the payment to the chief M»jor Ropata, and also to the purchase of a block of land for the recently pardoned outlaw Te Kooti. The position in regard to Ropata, as explained by the Government, is as follows:—At the close of the military operations against Te Kooti Ropata was appointed as officer in true of the Ngatiporou district at -it salary of £203 per annum. Subsequently, in 1879, he applied for his salary to bo made up to £4OO, the amount received by Major Kemp, and as Government wore making large land purchases in his district, in which be could be of service, he was appointed land purchase agent at £IOO per annum. Subsequently, when a general reduction took place in the salaries and pensions made in the Native Department, th’s was reduced to £SO per annum. On April Bth of the present year Rupata’s service, for which he was p»id salaries from the Militia and Land Purchase Departments, having ceased, his salaries in those capacities were discontinued by Mr Bryce, who ordered, however, that his salary as Native Assessor should be increased to £IOO per annum. In a letter addressed to Ropata, ha disclaimed any intention of putting any slight upon him, remarking that on the contrary they regarded him as a loyal chief and brave officer, who had rendered good service to the colony. Ropata in reply said he would not consent, but the Government could take it away forcibly. In reference to Te Kooti it appears that on the 25th July, 1883, he telegraphed to Mr Bryce, saying he was waiting, bis reply about a piece of land for him to live on at Orakau. Mr Bryce telegraphed an answer to the effect that he had not forgotten his word, and would attend to it as soon as Parliament was over. This produced the following ecstatic rejoinder from the ex-rebel:—“To Mr Bryce— Greeting to you, long live you and the Governor who relieve people who suffer in body and mind on account of their land. May you live for ever and ever. I have received your letter ; it is well. Tba decision rests with you. (Signed) Te Kooti.’* Subsequently he preferred a request for a spring cart, in order to convey supplies to the land when it should be granted to him. This was apparently too much for the N ative Minister, who uncompromisingly replied that he did not see what Te Kooti wanted with * spring cart, nor why the Government should grant him one. Ultimately, after considerable negotiations, a block of l»nd land near Orakau was purchased from Mr K>y for £6OO, out of which Te Kooti was to have 120 acres, or 165 acres, for him and his people to live on. Previously to this being provided for him, it appears, from the correspondence, Te Kooti h«d been compelled to live on the land of other Natives, to which he Had no title.—Press.