Visit of the Attorney-General to Tamati Paetai and Tukukino.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3678, 8 October 1880, Page 2

Visit of the Attorney-General to Tamati Paetai and Tukukino.

In yesterday's issue we mentioned'that the Hon. Mr Whitaker had proceeded to Hikutaia to interview the discontented chiefs of that neighbourhood, and now from the courtesy of a gentleman who was present we .are in a position to give a condensed account of what took place. On the arrival of the party at the point where the interview with Tamati Paetai was to take place, it was found that the natives of the hapu had assembled for the purpose of mourning over a deceased native. This, however, did not interfere with business, and Tamati Paetai and Mr Whitaker were soon deeply a engaged discussing the question at issue. The cause of the trouble appears to be an error in the survey of the survey of Mr Alley's land, for which, of course, the Government are responsible. This being so it was Mr Whitaker's (desire to induce the natives to exchange the block in dispute for a piece of land on the hills adjacent Tamati did not seem inclined to agree to the proposal, and after a long discussion he postponed his answer till Saturday next. Old Tukukino who had been a silent onlooker was* then noticed by the Attorney-General, but the astute old savage declined to hold any conversation concerning the Komata Boad whatever. He could not be induced to come out of his shell, and seeing the task was hopeless Mr Whitaker and party returned to town, arriving late in the evening.