NATIVE OBSTRUCTION NEAR TAUWHARE.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 264, 26 March 1898, Page 2

NATIVE OBSTRUCTION NEAR TAUWHARE.

During the past two days an obstruction to certaiu road works being rarried on by the Tamahere Road Board near Tauwhare has been earned by a number of Maoris residing in the vicinity. The local body in question requiring gravel for necessary road works some twelve months ago, served a roticc nnd< r subsection 12 of section 90 of " The Public Works Act, 1882," and in pursuance of such notice took what gravel they required, tilth nigh at the time the natives entered a mild protest. On Thursday morning the Boaid again entered on the same land to get a further supply of gravel, but the natives came down in some numbers and turned the men and teams on - , and put a chain anl padlock on the cate The obstruction was reported to Mr A. Furze, a member of the Board, who lives near by, and yesterday morning he proceeded to the place and cut the chain with a cold chisel and again started the teams to work, Some barneying was carried on with the natives assembled, but they made no forcible objection, and in reply to Mr Furze ai to what the natives wanted, the spokesman replied in forcible, if not polite, language, "I'm d—d if I know." After Mr Furze left the place the natives soon commenced to be obnoxious and forcibly shut the gate, keeping the teams out and struck one of the horses over the head with sticks. The workmen thereupon knocked off and reported the affair to Mr Fnrzs, who came into Hamilton and placed the matter in the hands of the police, who will proceed to the spot this morning. The land from which the gravel is being taken is situated on the Tauwhare Road, almost opposite Mr Dodd's residence, and was granted to certain exrebels at the close of the Waikato War. Writing on the subject some months ago Mr W. A. Graham, on behalf of the Maoris, asked that the Board provide them with another piece of land, but this the Board has no power to do, but is quite prepared to pay them compensation for the gravel taken according to the Public Works Act.