MAKETU.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2957, 7 August 1878, Page 2

MAKETU.

Tuesday. Yesterday morning, on the opening of the Lands Court, after two days' adjournment to get the natives to send in names for the certificates for the Paengaroa block, lately passed through the Court, and awarded to several hapus, the Tapuika and Ngatipikiao hapus, headed by Te Pokiba, all armed with spears and other weapons, took possession of the, Court-house, and placed an armed guard at the door to prevent other hapus from entering and giving their names for the certificates. In the judgment given last week the Tapuika were excluded, and the Ngatipikiao awarded a portion; but they desired the whole block, hence their obstruction. On the Judge calling for the names for the certificates, a great disturbance occurred, the natives trying to intimidate the Judges by a display of weapons, but to no purpose. One of the Ngatipikiao launched his spear at a native policeman who' was trying to restore

order, but the policeman happily avoided it,' otherwise serious consepuences would have ensued Last week a Ngatipikiao witness was assaulied while giving evidence. Three large blocks have lately passed the Court, on which the Government have advanced money, Private individuals are hard at work, and will probably secure these blocks, owing to the double dealings of the natives.